Glasgow's NHS Louisa Jordan will play "an important role" in helping the NHS resume normal services after the pandemic. 

The emergency hospital was set up in Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in April to help cope with the coronavirus outbreak, but was not needed for Covid-19 patients. 

As the NHS resumes services that were postponed at the height of the outbreak, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman revealed the hospital could be used for training, teaching and examinations. 

The £38 million field hospital will start to host orthopaedic outpatient consultations from this month. 

Glasgow Times: (Image:PA)(Image:PA)

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If successful, it could provide a wider range of services which were delayed due to the pandemic.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “As we begin to resume some paused NHS services safely, carefully and in a series of stages, this national hospital will play an important role in helping our NHS recover by providing planned healthcare for non-Covid outpatients.

“It will also ensure the sustainability of our NHS workforce as the clinical setting, alongside the ability to maintain physical distancing, will allow undergraduates and postgraduates to carry out training, teaching and examinations, and support training for the wider health and social care workforce in Scotland.

“By continuing to follow the clear public health advice, we can continue to suppress this virus in Scotland.”

If circumstances were to change, the hospital would be able to accept Covid-19 patients within a few days notice. 

Chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen said: “The NHS Louisa Jordan has not been required to treat Covid-19 patients as we have been able to retain capacity in NHS Scotland thanks to our continued collective effort to tackle this pandemic.

“Should it be required, all training and planned non-Covid healthcare will be stopped and the hospital will be ready to accept Covid-19 patients at a few days’ notice.”