Covid Patients Moved From London To Newcastle

Seriously ill Covid patients have been transferred to hospitals in Newcastle from over-stretched intensive care units in London.

Fewer than five people were moved from the capital, almost 300 miles (482km) away, it was first reported by the Thepremiernews.

Hospitals with the largest critical care capacity have been asked to take patients to help ease pressures in London and the South East.

Dr Uwe Franke, intensive care lead at Middlesbrough’s James Cook Hospital, says: “Covid patients are incredibly ill, they are dependent on breathing machines, they are dependent on other machines that need organ support.

“To transfer these people across the country is quite a challenge.”

Elsewhere, Northampton General Hospital – which is about 70 miles from London – has also been receiving critical care patients from outside its area.