Private hospital turns attentions to helping NHS during coronavirus crisis

A private hospital has turned all its resources over to helping the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon welcomed its first patients from the health service this week.

Its operation was transferred to the NHS following discussions between government and the independent healthcare sector about how to help the NHS battle coronavirus.

All of the hospital’s 350 staff, 69 inpatient beds and state-of-the-art equipment are now being used to treat patients for free.

The hospital has also transferred essential equipment, including seven life-saving anaesthetic machines, to a local NHS Trust by staff working with the British Army.

Some of the patient intake needed time-critical surgery – for example trauma patients who have fractures or injuries to upper and lower limbs.

Hospital director Phil Bates said: “I’m immensely proud of our team at Parkside who are going above and beyond to support the health service at this difficult and uncertain time.

“At Parkside we have the staff, the facilities and the resources to bolster the NHS in our local area, and no ask is too great for our incredible team.

“We’re absolutely determined to provide whatever support the NHS needs and will continue to help the health service for as long as it takes.”

Pictured top: Parkside hospital staff