Yorkshire’s Nightingale Hospital has not taken in a single patient since opening a week ago

The Nightingale Hospital at Harrogate has not taken in a single patient since it opened a week ago.

A spokesperson for NHS England said there is still capacity at existing hospitals in the area to treat coronavirus patients.

But that the temporary hospital – which has about 500 beds – is ready to be used should the need arise.

A spokesperson said NHS staff who have done an induction training course at the Nightingale Hospital have now returned to their own hospitals where their work is currently most valuable.

The temporary hospital was created at the Harrogate Convention Centre – with construction taking less than two weeks.

It was opened on Tuesday April 21 – with 99-year-old NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore appearing as guest of honour by video link.