Feature
Nothing short
of a miracle, but
it’s what we do
In a matter of days,
five of the UK’s biggest
exhibition venues have
been transformed into
temporary hospitals,
and one has become
a foodbank to support
the nation’s efforts in
tackling Covid-19
T
he exhibition industry
and EN would like to
thank EVERYONE who
was involved in what can
only be described as one
of the biggest ‘peacetime’
operations this country has
ever witnessed. The creation
of five Nightingale hospitals
must be commended. While
our industry is familiar with
producing scores of weekly
events, suppliers both large
and small, some of which
gave up their time for free,
deserve recognition for their
efforts.
NHS Nightingale London
(ExCeL)
NHS Nightingale London
was created in just nine
days. The hospital was
opened by HRH Prince of
Wales on Friday 3 April with
an initial capacity of 500
beds but up to 4,000 beds, if
required.
Jeremy Rees, CEO, ExCeL
London, said: “Our country
is facing the largest national
emergency for a generation
and our thoughts are with
everyone who is personally
affected by Covid-19. We are
honoured to have worked
52 — May
alongside the Government
and the NHS to support
the increasing demand for
hospital beds. I would like
to take this opportunity to
personally thank the ExCeL
team, our owners (Abu
Dhabi National Exhibitions
Company), contractors and
other industry stakeholders
who helped build the world’s
largest hospital, in just 9
days.
“It is a privilege to support
the NHS and its wonderful
staff, who are working day
and night to protect people
and save lives. Like everyone
in our industry, we look
forward to the day when
we can return to hosting
world-leading events and
will do everything we can to
ensure that we come back
stronger.”
NHS Nightingale Hospital
North West (Manchester
Central)
Less than three weeks since
work first started, NHS
Nightingale Hospital North
West officially opened on
17 April, inside Manchester
Central, to provide care for
hundreds of patients with
Covid-19 from across the
region.
The NHS Nightingale
Hospital North West will
provide both oxygen therapy
and general medical care for
Covid-19 patients and can
look after up to 750 patients
at full capacity.
Shaun Hinds, Chief
Executive of Manchester
Central, said: “It has been a
real privilege to be part of
the team that has delivered
the hospital from start to
finish in such a short space
Manchester Central
ExCeL London
of time. The transformation
of the venue from an
iconic events space into a
fully functioning hospital
ready to receive patients
is remarkable and another
significant milestone in its
history.
“It’s incredible that
this facility now exists to
support the North West in
its fight against Covid-19
and I wish all the patients
who are cared for at the
hospital a speedy and
full recovery. There is an
amazing team of care staff
and frontline workers
looking after them and
I continue to extend my
heartfelt thanks to them,
and to the entire NHS, for
their inspiring efforts during
this time.”
NHS Nightingale Hospital
Birmingham (The NEC)
In just over a week the
NHS Nightingale Hospital
Birmingham was ready to
receive patients and was
officially opened by His
Royal Highness The Duke
of Cambridge on 16 April,
providing up to 2,000
more beds for coronavirus
patients, if required.
Constructed within eight
days inside the National
Exhibition Centre (NEC),
the new facility provides
up to 500 beds for general
medical COVID-19 patients
from across the Midlands.
Paul Gandy, Managing
Director at Interserve
Construction, the lead
contractor onsite, said:
“The NHS Nightingale
Birmingham has been
built at a remarkable pace
and with huge discipline.
Our 400 employees and
contractors have worked
over 40,000 hours to build
this hospital, employing
great logistics and project
management skills.
The NHS Nightingale
Birmingham shows what
can be achieved when
people come together across
the construction sector to
protect the NHS and