About NHS Nightingale Hospital North East

NHS Nightingale Hospital North East is a new temporary hospital, located at Sunderland International Innovation Centre, 6 International Drive, Sunderland, SR5 3FH. 

The site was picked because the unit could be converted easily into a hospital, it is relatively central in the region and was close to both the A1 and A19.

The hospital was constructed in less than a month and provides additional capacity to treat patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who require intensive care. 

From 26 January 2021, it has been used as a large Covid vaccination centre for the North East and North Cumbria although it remains on standby for its original purpose.

Large Vaccination Centres are part of NHS plans to step up capacity and rolling out the vaccine more widely, complementing the incredible work being carried out by local GPs in Primary Care Networks providing local vaccination services and by NHS staff in Hospital Hubs.

Further details about the Nightingale being used as a vaccination centre can be found here.

With 460 fully ventilated critical care beds, the hospital remains ready to take referrals for individuals (with confirmed Covid-19) who are already inpatients at other hospitals in the north east if required. 

The Nightingale’s aim is to support the main hospitals in our region, so they can continue providing critical care in their own wards for the most complex Covid-19 patients, i.e. people with multiple medical conditions who will need access to a wider range of specialisms and staff. 

Care for other seriously ill, but less complex, Covid-19 patients can be provided at the Nightingale.

Protocols for transfer will ensure that patients can be moved safely between the new, temporary hospital and other hospital in the region, ensuring they will be treated in the right place, at the right time.  

The hospital has been built by a team of specialists from NHS organisations, with the support of construction contractors Tolent and Geoffrey Robinson Limited, the British Army and other partners including Northern Powergrid, Prodec Networks, Branksome Partners, Sunderland Council and Sunderland University, who have all worked in record time to bring the facility up to the high specification required.

Staff from hospitals across the region will work at the facility and will be supported with additional training before delivering care there.  This will be bolstered by the recruitment of former doctors and nurses, plus specific support roles which will be advertised as required.