ExCeL could become makeshift coronavirus hospital

The ExCeL conference centre in London’s Docklands could become a 4,000-bed field hospital under NHS plans to cope during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The centre, which holds numerous events including World Travel Market each November, would be staffed by a combination of military medical personnel and NHS staff and, according to reports, it could come into service in a month’s time.

The Evening Standard reports that a Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed talks were underway.

An NHS official told the Guardian: “The ExCeL will become a field hospital of 4,000 critical care beds. It will be staffed by military medics but it’s still unclear where all the nurses needed will come from.

MMP