Up to 1,000 new hospital employees in Leeds are being trained up to help tackle coronavirus at temporary NHS centres at Leeds Beckett University.
The university shut down all of its buildings following government advice in March, but it has reopened two of its largest buildings in the shadow of Leeds General Infimary from today.
The Rose Bowl and Portland buildings have been turned into NHS training centres, with the first wave of new staff now arriving to be trained up to help fight coronavirus.
The influx of new employees have been recruited by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
A huge new workforce of cleaning, catering, security, driving, childcare and maintenance staff will be deployed across the city's hospitals over the coming weeks.
Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University vice chancellor, said: "As national efforts to tackle the devastating effects of Covid-19 are escalated, it’s vital that everyone plays their part.
"Our Leeds city centre campus neighbours Leeds General Infirmary and lending our facilities to the NHS for this purpose is one small way we can support the outstanding NHS efforts.
"In these exceptionally difficult times for everyone, these NHS workers are going above and beyond to help others and we’ll be doing our best to look after them."
Social distancing measures have been put in place to minimise the risk to new NHS recruits throughout their training.
The university is also in talks with the NHS Trust to see whether its staff and state-of-the-art facilities could be used to help in the coming weeks and months.
Julian Hartley, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive, said: "We are very fortunate to have a strong relationship with Leeds Beckett University and are grateful to them for working with us to provide this excellent solution.
"The support of Leeds Beckett and other local organisations and businesses has been invaluable in helping us to prepare so that we are ready to provide the best possible care to our patients, including those diagnosed with Covid-19."
