All NHS Nightingale Hospitals set to close from April
Seven makeshift healthcare facilities were set up in England during the early part of the pandemic in 2020 - designed to offer additional space in the event of the NHS becoming overwhelmed.
Nightingale Hospitals will shut down in spring / Image: Wikimedia Commons
All Nightingale Hospitals will close from next month, the NHS has confirmed.
Seven makeshift healthcare facilities were set up in England during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – designed to offer additional resources in the event of the NHS becoming overwhelmed.
Temporary hospitals were spread out across the country; built in Manchester, Bristol, Harrogate, Sunderland, Birmingham, Exeter and London.
Facilities were also assembled in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Space for over 11,000 extra beds was created as a result.
ADVERTISEMENT
But with coronavirus cases falling across the UK, NHS Nightingale Hospitals are no longer needed – with plans for them to close in mid-Spring.
One of the hospitals – the 500-bed facility in Yorkshire opened by Sir Captain Tom Moore – will shut without having had to treat a single patient.
ADVERTISEMENT
The network of extra health facilities has been described by the NHS as the “ultimate insurance policy“.
NHS Nightingale North West in Manchester is ‘on schedule’ to close by the end of March / Image: Peter McDermott via Geograph
In February, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese confirmed that NHS Nightingale Hospital North West – the 750-bed facility built at Manchester Central Convention Complex – would close by the end of March.
Since being assembled last year, the temporary hospital was primarily used as a rehabilitation centre for patients recovering from COVID-19.
Many children returned to school on Monday (March 8), and people are now permitted to meet one other person outside for recreational purposes, not just exercise.
Care home residents can also welcome a regular visitor from this week.
The seven-day moving average for COVID-19 cases in the UK has plummeted to lower than 6,000 – the lowest levels seen since late September.
More than 21 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
News
Two teens arrested after stabbing of 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Two teenagers have been arrested following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
In case you need bringing up to speed first, at around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.
Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Police conceded that this will ‘understandably’ cause concern in the community, but has assured the public that they believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.
And now, it has been confirmed that two teenage boys, also aged 14, were arrested on Sunday night (18 October) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and tat this time, they are currently in custody for questioning.
“We’d like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation as well as the passersby who helped the victim following this incident,” commented Detective Inspector Sean McFadden, of GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“Your quick-thinking undoubtedly saved the victim from potentially life-threatening injuries.
“We appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern and we’d like to reassure the public that we understand this was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the community.
“Officers worked quickly and arrested two juveniles on Sunday, and they currently remain in custody for questioning.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
UK Government announces £100 fines for ‘antisocial behaviour’ on public transport
Emily Sergeant
The Government has today announced plans to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport.
In a bid to crackdown on loud music, littering, vaping, and other threatening behaviour on buses and trains, guidance was issued by the Government today for local authorities to prosecute and even issue fines of up to £100.
For many, playing audio out loud on public transport – also known as ‘loudcasting’ – has become one of modern life’s most irritating parts of the daily commute, but now, a new national campaign is aiming to encourage rail passengers, in particular, to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ to improve the journey experience for all.
This will include reminders of the rules in place on the rail network and, if a passenger refuses to stop when asked by authorised rail staff, they can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines up to £1,000.
On buses, however, the powers for authorities were already made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025, meaning all local transport authorities in England are able to set and enforce their own rules.
Authorised officers – including transport safety officers and the police – will be responsible for enforcement, rather than bus drivers themselves, and they will be tasked with a three-step approach to deal with incidents. They will need to:
Engage with the person
Explain the rules and their impact on other passengers
Take enforcement action if they refuse to comply
“We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey, so we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses.
“It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive at the Campaign for Better Transport, added: “Antisocial behaviour is not just irritating, it can be a real deterrent to people using public transport – especially people with different accessibility requirements.
“If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”
The Manc -
9th March 2021 
