Industrial unit near Nissan could become Nightingale Sunderland hospital

The new CESAM building, off the A1290 Downhill Lane, is part of the International Automotive Manufacturing Park (IAMP) being built in the shadow of Sunderland’s massive Nissan plant.

Now it is believed to be one locations which could be transformed into a temporary hospital, saving lives and caring for those struck down by COVID-19.

Contractors have been seen working on site, although the NHS was unable to confirm details when contacted.

Temporary Nightingale hospitals, named after the founder of modern nursing, have already been confirmed for the ExCel Centre in London – which will open today and has 4,000 beds – while those at Birmingham NEC and Manchester Central Complex can offer 3,000 between them.

On Friday, April 3, the NHS confirmed further hospitals will be set up at Harrogate Convention Centre, which will have 500 beds, and in Bristol at the University of the West of England, which will have another 1,000 spaces.

The service says they are “part of a nationwide effort to respond to the greatest global health emergency in more than a century.”

While permanent hospitals across the country have already freed up more than 33,000 beds – which is equal to 50 hospitals – a deal with private hospitals to free up another 8,000 beds as well as staff and equipment.

The NHS says these measures mean that capacity still exists in hospitals to deal with coronavirus, with the Nightingales standing ready if local services need them beyond that.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The nation is facing an unprecedented global emergency and we are taking exceptional measures to ensure the NHS has whatever it needs to tackle this virus.

“We must all play our part to assist our heroes on the health and social care frontline and I urge everyone to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM) has been built over a 37-week period by GMI Construction Ltd for Henry Boot Developments as part of the IAMP project, which is a joint project between South Tyneside and Sunderland City Council.

The building stretches 126,279 sq ft and will offer 300 parking spaces.

Its original purpose is to offer “research, development, innovation and training facilities for businesses across the North East” – but will be used as a hospital before it goes on to play its part in the IAMP scheme, which aims to create 7,000 jobs over the next 15 years.

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