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.

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.

5. A hive of activity

A number of teams have been seen working at the site in recent days as the building is kitted out ready to treat patients. | JPIMedia Photo: Frank Reid

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6. Key development

The IAMP will create 7,000 jobs to support the manufacturing industry during the next 15 years, but part of it will back the NHS in its early days. | JPIMedia Photo: Frank Reid