How a Harborough distict private hospital will help the NHS fight the coronavirus

A Harborough distict private hospital is being drafted in to help the NHS fight the coronavirus.

The hospital on the edge of Scraptoft is one of 30 Nuffield Health hospitals nationally being made available to the health service.

Nuffield Health, the UK's largest healthcare charity, is acting after high-level talks with NHS England.

Independent hospitals are being rushed in to support patients as the NHS comes under overwhelming pressure.

A Nuffield Health spokeswoman said: “We have also offered support with clinicians, support services and clinical equipment such as ventilators.

“Access to our 14 nurseries is also available for NHS and key workers to relieve the strain on employees and their families.

“We will be reimbursed at cost meaning no profit will be made and it will be audited by external auditors.”

Nuffield Health Chief Executive Steve Gray said: "This is an unprecedented time.

“As the UK's largest healthcare charity we have a huge role to play in supporting the NHS patients in our local communities across the nation.

“We, alongside other independent hospital providers, have been in discussions with the NHS about how we can support the NHS.”

He added: “This is likely to be for a minimum of three months while the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation continues to require our support."

The company’s spokeswoman stressed: “Our support is centred around the provision of pathways for patients with specific conditions, including coronavirus (Covid-19), medical step down, urgent elective and cancer care.

“We are also reviewing how we can utilise our network of clinical employees, physiologists, physiotherapists, and personal trainers to offer further support in this area.”

Nuffield Health’s Medical and Charity Director, Dr Davina Deniszczyc, said: "We are in a unique position to care for NHS patients clinically, physically and mentally.

“We are here to help those affected by the Covid-19 (coronavirus), cancer and other health conditions, and ease the strain on our incredible NHS.

"We are committed to supporting regional NHS trusts and local communities across the nation in any way we can.”

She added: “As part of this, we are looking at how we can help the more vulnerable people in our communities and supporting parents to keep their children active while schools are closed through extending our flagship programmes at no cost.

“We are also offering online fitness classes and emotional wellbeing guidance to keep people fit and emotionally resilient at this time."