Belfast City Hospital’s tower block will act as Northern Ireland’s first Nightingale Hospital for the anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care in the weeks ahead.
The number of those affected is expected to increase over the next two weeks.
This new facility will be a 230 bed unit staffed by a team drawn from across Northern Ireland.
Plans also include the development of further critical care capacity at Altnagelvin and Ulster Hospital.
Current non-Covid patients in the tower block will prepare to receive their care in an alternative location.
The Eikon Centre at Balmoral Park may also act as a second Nightingale facility later this year if required.
There are now 165 ventilators in Northern Ireland and further orders are in place and being progressed.
Health Minister Robin Swann said it is important to emphasise that this modelling work is not a prediction or forecast.
“All modelling necessarily carries a level of uncertainty. It is therefore prudent to plan for a scenario beyond the reasonable worst case. That is what we are doing.
“The best way to ensure our health service can cope remains for everyone to stick firmly to the social distancing measures now in place. That message cannot be repeated too frequently or too forcibly,” he said.
Staff will be briefed by their respective Trust management, ahead of reconfiguration plans being made public
The Minister added that he recognised the challenges these emergency arrangements will present for staff.
“I am determined that we will do everything possible to support them and their colleagues across the HSC as they take on the many challenges that Covid-19 brings. We owe them all a debt that can never be repaid. I also give a commitment that trade union side will be kept informed as the plan is rolled out,” he added.
DUP South Antrim MLA and Vice Chair of the Assembly Health Committee Pam Cameron has welcomed confirmation that the hospital will become Northern Ireland’s first Nightingale facility.
Commenting, Mrs Cameron said:
‘‘This announcement is welcome and necessary in light of the expected surge of Covid-19 cases from next week. The plans being put in place by the Minister also include further critical-care capacity at Altnagelvin and the Ulster Hospital as well as temporary secondary care facilities being built by the MoD.
“It is vital that patients living across Northern Ireland have access to a consistent and coordinated level of care at this uncertain time,” she said.
She said they are also conscious that these developments will mean transferring some non-Covid-19 patients to other locations.
“This should be done with compassion and dignity and with all decisions being well communicated to them and their loved ones.
“At this difficult time we reiterate our deep gratitude to those NHS and care workers who will be working under immense pressure, often in different locations and environment, in the coming days. We have a responsibility to ensure they are well resourced, well informed and protected as they lead the fight against this deadly threat to public health,” she added.