13 photos show work under way to turn Washington factory unit into NHS Nightingale North East hospital

A building constructed to help the North East in its drive to be at the front of future car manufacturing – now it’s first days will help save lives.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 11th Apr 2020, 18:04 BST

Updated 11th Apr 2020, 18:05 BST

Centre of Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CeSAM), which is part of the new International Automotive Manufacturing Park (IAMP) just a short distance from Nissan's Sunderland plant, is to be turned into a 460-bed temporary hospital.

Nightingale North East will have 16 wards ready to help the NHS care for coronavirus patients if the region’s hospitals cannot cope with demand for spaces and will be able to care for patients on ventilators.

It is expected to be operational by the end of this month or beginning of next, with Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust the lead organisation on the project, which is being set up inside the building owned by Sunderland City Council.

Here’s how efforts are coming together as teams work to get it up and running within just weeks.

1. Ready for business

The CeSAM building is just off Downhill Lane and just a short distance off the A19. Photo: Frank Reid

Photo Sales

2. A view into the future

An artist's impression of what the IAMP site will look like once is is finished. Photo: Supplied

Photo Sales

3. Keeping deliveries coming

A makeshift sign has been set up next to the building to direct people into the site. Photo: Frank Reid

Photo Sales

4. Getting ready as installation begins

A number of temporary buildings have been set up next to the Cesam building as the project begins to come together. Photo: Frank Reid

Photo Sales