Hospital patients may be discharged into hotels

THE NHS can run 24/7 vaccine clinics and discharge some patients to hotels under plans set out by health leaders.

The health service has been put on its highest level of emergency preparedness as it sets itself to tackle the “new and significant” threat posed by the Omicron variant.

The health service in England declared a “Level 4 National Incident”, which means that trusts will not have autonomy to guide the response in their local areas and central NHS will lead the charge.

Health leaders said that the emergence of the variant requires an “extraordinary response” from the NHS.

A new letter from health bosses states that the NHS will deliver “more vaccines over the coming weeks than ever before” which might include 24/7 vaccine clinics “where relevant for the local community”.

Vaccine sites should operate 12 hours a day “as standard” seven days a week, while some GP appointments will need to be postponed as the NHS prioritises the vaccination programme.

NHS England said pop-up sites could include trucks and buses in parks, cathedrals, football stadiums and leisure centres.

Temporary buildings including portacabins and tents are “ready to be dispatched to extend existing sites and support with queues”, it added.

The letter adds that the number of people requiring care could be “significant over the coming period” as it set out steps for the NHS to prepare for a fresh wave of cases.

This includes discharging medically fit patients to hotels and ramping up the use of private hospitals.