Coronavirus: Prince Charles to open new NHS Nightingale Hospital via video link

Prince Charles recently came out of self-isolation following coronavirus diagnosis

The Prince of Wales is to launch the NHS Nightingale Hospital today, which will care for intensive care patients being treated for the coronavirus.

It was recently revealed that Prince Charles had been diagnosed with Covid-19 after experiencing mild symptoms.

Earlier this week, the heir apparent came out of self-isolation, making his first appearance since his diagnosis on the Clarence House social media channels to praise the work of the NHS.

Today, the royal will officially open London’s NHS Nightingale Hospital via video link.

The hospital is a temporary facility located at the ExCel convention centre in east London, which will house 4,000 beds for patients.

Prince Charles will open the hospital from his Scottish home of Birkhall.

It is expected that he will say a few works to mark the opening of the medical facility in tribute to healthcare and frontline workers.

Health secretary Matt Hancock, who also recently came out of isolation after being diagnosed with the coronavirus, will attend the launch ceremony in person.

Hancock will be joined by the chief executive of the hospital, Professor Charles Knight, in addition to representatives from the Ministry of Defence, contractors and volunteers.

The event will be hosted by Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England.

Hancock and Professor Knight are due to say a few words during the ceremony.

Natalie Grey, head of nursing at the new medical facility, will unveil a plaque on behalf of the Prince of Wales.

NHS Nightingale Hospital is named after Florence Nightingale, famous for founding modern nursing practise.

The hospital will be split into more than 80 wards that will contain 42 beds each, and will be operated by a workforce of 16,000 staff members.

The patients being cared for at the hospital will have been transferred from other intensive care units in the capital.