AQW 10292/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any plans or discussions he has had to open a dedicated COVID-19 Nightingale Hospital outside Belfast.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 16 November 2020
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 16 November 2020
- Answer due by
- 1 December 2020
- Answered
- 25 November 20209 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Following the first wave of COVID-19, I established a project board to explore the need for and location of a further Nightingale Hospital. As part of this work, the project board identified five potential sites, two of which were shortlisted for more detailed exploration – the Whiteabbey Hospital site and a commercial site outside Belfast.
Of the two options, I determined the Whiteabbey site was the most suitable based upon location, accessibility, stability and cost. In addition, while not a determining criterion, using a site already in the ownership of HSC, rather than repurposing a commercial site, will provide a legacy facility when COVID-19 has passed.
There are currently no plans to open any further Nightingale facilities; however, this will be kept under review based upon transmission rates and demand.