The NHS is setting up new Nightingale surge hubs at hospitals across the country as part of preparations for a potential wave of Omicron admissions.

Temporary structures capable of housing around 100 patients will be erected in the grounds of eight hospitals across the country, with work already underway. The Nightingale hubs will improve NHS resilience if the record number of coronavirus infections leads to a surge in admissions and outstrips existing capacity.

Placing the new Nightingale facilities in hospital grounds will make it easier to flex staff and equipment if there is a surge in admissions, providing access to diagnostics and emergency care if required.

NHS trusts have also been asked to identify areas such as gyms and education centres that can be converted to accommodate patients and more Nightingale sites could be added to create up to 4,000 ‘super surge’ beds across the country.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director. said: “Given the high level of Covid-19 infections and increasing hospital admissions, the NHS is now on a war footing. We do not yet know exactly how many of those who catch the virus will need hospital treatment, but given the number of infections we cannot wait to find out before we act and so work is beginning from today to ensure these facilities are in place.

“We hoped never to have to use the original Nightingales and I hope we never to have to use these new hubs. Staff across the health service are working around the clock to provide the best possible care to patients and rollout the NHS Covid vaccination programme. The public can play their part by following the guidance to limit the spread of infection and by getting boosted now. The science is clear. Two doses of vaccine do not provide enough protection against Omicron so if you have not yet had a life-saving booster do not delay any longer.”