The NHS is gearing up for a sharp spike in people requiring hospital care due to the Omicron surge

Bristol’s Southmead Hospital has been chosen as one of the country’s new ‘Nightingale hubs’ to help cope with the Omicron surge.

The hospital, which is operated by the North Bristol NHS Trust, is one of eight sites currently on standby to relieve pressures on the NHS as cases of the new variant soar.

The ‘hubs’ will be erected in hospital grounds, allowing staff to flit between wards and the new facilities, and have space for 100 extra patients.

It comes as the city hit a record high Covid-19 positivity rate in the run-up to Christmas, with just over one in five people testing positive for the virus in the week leading to December 24.

It is hoped the hub will never need to be used, with medics echoing the message that the best way people can help their local NHS is to get a booster jab.

A spokesperson for the North Bristol NHS Trust said: “With Covid rates now very high, the NHS across the area is preparing for a potential sharp increase in people needing hospital care.

Southmead Hospital, along with Cossham Hospital, is run by North Bristol NHS Trust

“This includes creating additional space for beds at Southmead Hospital for the region if all other options are not enough.

“However, we hope this will never be needed and with vaccines our best weapon we urge everyone to get boosted now in their local centre.”

Southmead Hospital was treating 250 coronavirus patients at its peak, but recent figures revealed this had dropped to around 50 patients.

Additional sites could also be set up to free up a further 4,000 “super surge” beds.

NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Given the high level of Covid-19 infections and increasing hospital admissions, the NHS is now on a war footing.

“We do not yet know exactly how many of those who catch the virus will need hospital treatment, but given the number of infections we cannot wait to find out before we act and so work is beginning from today to ensure these facilities are in place.

“We hoped never to have to use the original Nightingales and I hope we never have to use these new hubs.”

Omicron surge: Southmead Hospital chosen as one of eight ‘Nightingale hubs’