CORONAVIRUS: NI HEALTH SERVICE TO ACCESS PRIVATE SECTOR BEDS

BBC News - In documents seen by BBC News NI the health board proposes to contract the use of the hospital sites for a period of "not less than 3 months". It's part of health authorities' surge planning for Covid-19. Meanwhile health care staff are urging the government to test more workers as soon as possible. In a statement the Department of Health (DoH) said officials are now working with the private sector to identify how the additional resources can be best used. A public health emergency calls for dramatic and decisive action and with a shortage of hospital beds, equipment and staff likely in the coronavirus fight - the three major independent hospitals say they want to help and have offered their services. The hospitals involved are the Ulster Independent Clinic, the Kingsbridge and North West Independent Hospital...>>>