'Surge centre' to be created at Norfolk hospital to help treat Covid-19 patients

  • Anglia

Almost 200 extra ventilator beds to treat people with coronavirus are to be created at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital NHS England has revealed.

The hospital will be transformed into a ‘regional surge centre’, providing additional beds for the sickest patients with Covid-19, it will mean it can take in patients from across the region.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital already has 36 ventilated beds for critically ill patients, but has plans in place for 60 additional beds to cope with potential demand for local patients with.

NHS England say the surge centre will create extra capacity on top of this.

A second Emergency Department opened at the hospital earlier this month. Building work has also started on a new isolation unit.

The hospital will soon exit special measures

Ann Radmore, regional director for the NHS in the East of England, said:

Sam Higginson, chief executive of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The regional surge centre based at our hospital will play a crucial role in the East of England’s response to coronavirus, and is ready to take patients if needed from across the region."

He added:

This is the first regional surge centre in the East of England Credit: ITV Anglia

Health chiefs say the regional surge centre can be adapted to suit demand, depending on need, it could be used for patients with coronavirus symptoms, the rehabilitation for coronavirus patients, or to provide a reduced-risk environment for non-coronavirus patients who still need essential care.

It will be the first regional surge centre to become operational in the East of England, with plans for a second site at a different location in the region currently being developed.

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