Glasgow’s temporary covid hospital is expected to stay open through the winter months, it has been confirmed.

The owners of the SEC conference centre where the £31m NHS Louisa Jordan is based told healthandcare.scot they expect it to “be in operation through the winter.”

The Scottish Government is increasing the number of non-virus patients who can be seen at the facility, after it was not required for a surge in coronavirus cases.

Discussions about extending the lease, which expires at the end of August, are underway.

There have been repeated calls for the hospital to be used as a hub for surgery, helping patients who have missed out on scheduled treatment due to the pandemic.

One senior doctor has warned Scotland could be facing the biggest waiting list for a generation and the NHS will need to alter ways of working to tackle the backlog.

In a parliamentary answer, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The Louisa Jordan has conducted a successful pilot, which has seen 315 patients receive orthopaedic and plastic surgery outpatient consultations since the start of July.

“Following the successful three-week project by NHS Lanarkshire, plans are now in place to expand the services offered at the hospital and increase the number of patients it can receive daily from health boards across Scotland.”

An SEC spokesperson said: “Whilst discussions have not yet been finalised, we expect NHS Louisa Jordan to be in operation through the winter.

“We will communicate the official arrangements once they have been decided.”

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