The emergency NHS Louisa Jordan coronavirus hospital in Glasgow will be ready to accept patients from Monday, it has been announced.
Building work has now been completed, and the hospital's chief executive said it would be "equipped" and ready to accept patients from tomorrow (20 April).
Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman made the announcement at a Scottish Government briefing in Edinburgh earlier.
The facility is set up to accommodate 300 patients if required, although capacity can be expanded 1,036 if required.
Located at the SEC in Glasgow, it was announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on 30 March.
Jeane Freeman said she was "confident" the hospital would not be needed, but said it would be available if extra capacity was needed within NHS Scotland.
Freeman said the decision on whether to admit patients to the hospital would be reviewed regularly: “I want to offer my sincere gratitude and thanks to the contractors and NHS Scotland staff who have come from across Scotland to work tirelessly to transform the SEC into the NHS Louisa Jordan. You are an inspiration to us all.
“I hope this facility will not be needed as, alongside the public’s continued efforts to stay at home, NHS Scotland has already taken steps to increase the number of NHS beds.
“The exceptional efforts of everyone involved in creating NHS Louisa Jordan during this unprecedented public health emergency will ensure this national facility will be able to treat patients from across Scotland, helping to save lives and protect our NHS.”
The hospital chief executive Jill Young said at the briefing that the facility was equipped with CT scanners, labs and radiology services.
“The hospital stands ready to treat patients from across Scotland in a safe, effective and compassionate way, if required," she said.
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