The Ramada by Wyndham hotel on Belfast's Talbot Street is being transformed into a "step down" hospital facility so that it can be used to care for up to 150 patients who are recovering from COVID-19.
Patients recovering from the virus will be moved to the hotel after being discharged from hospital as part of plans to handle an expected upsurge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the coming days, as reported by The Belfast Telegraph.
The transformation of The Ramada by Wyndham is being carried out by a partnership between Belfast Trust and Healthcare Ireland in a bid to help lessen the strain being felt by hospitals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hotel will function as a "step down" hospital facility for the next three months, and could continue in the role beyond that period if required.
Providing Care And Rehabilitation
Talking to BBC, Natalie Magee of Belfast Trust said, "As patients become medically fit, they'll need to leave hospital quickly in order to offer other patients to be admitted.
"So having this facility will allow us to bring patients out of hospital, but where they still need care, we will provide that care and that rehabilitation."
Stormont will pay the hotel's lease and staff costs, with a commercial arrangement in place.
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