MORE local schools could be converted into temporary hospitals after it was confirmed Furness Academy had been requisitioned.

Work began yesterday to transform the Barrow school in order to create extra NHS beds to relieve the under-pressure Furness General Hospital (FGH).

With the number of deaths at FGH increasing almost daily, beds are in demand and the British Army were working round-the-clock to convert the academy.

Elsewhere in Cumbria, Whitehaven Sports Centre, The Sands Centre in Carlisle, Penrith Leisure Centre and Kendal Leisure Centre are also being transformed.

In a letter to parents, Furness Academy headteacher Simon Laheney revealed that a feasibility study had identified the school as being the most suitable location in Barrow.

He added that the academy is expected to be used to house ‘on the road to recovery’ coronavirus patients ahead of being discharged.

It is understood that Walney School’s sports hall is also being emptied in case further facilities are needed to support the NHS.

Andrew Slattery, Assistant Chief Constable and chair of the multi-agency Cumbria Strategic Co-ordination Group, said: “Through effective multi-agency working involving Cumbrian authorities and the Ministry of Defence, we are establishing an additional 500 patient beds across the county for Cumbria’s NHS organisations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The additional beds will be available if our hospitals reach full capacity and beds will be allocated by our NHS colleagues as required.

“They will not be for general access by the public.

“Equipment is being installed through this week with the assistance of Ministry of Defence troops who are supporting preparations in Cumbria.

“These facilities have been arranged in anticipation of the likely demand on NHS bed space.

“The model of how the new facilities would work is still being developed. But work now will ensure the basic physical infrastructure is in place should it be needed.

“This is a prudent and sensible approach given how this pandemic has developed in other countries.

“.”

Dr Shahedal Bari, medical director at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said: “On behalf of the trust, I would like to thank each and every one of the multi-agency teams involved, who by working together have made it possible to establish these additional beds to support our patients during these unprecedented circumstances in Morecambe Bay.

“We continue to be overwhelmed by the response from our staff and within the community who are going above and beyond every day.”