Best Western says some hotels could be turned into community hospitals for ‘years'

Independent hotel group Best Western has confirmed that it is again taking in NHS patients to free up bed space and to tackle the outpatient backlog.

The group said one of its properties in London's Croydon has 30 patients booked in from King's College Hospital and that it has spoken to "dozens" of hospitals and NHS trusts about offering short- and long-term solutions.

A spokesperson for the group said: "In reality, that could see hotels turn into community hospitals for a number of years to help, particularly, with delayed cancer care appointments.

"In the first instance we are ready to take discharge patients out of the NHS now and turn on bed space and care in 24 hours if needed."

The company has been working with medical experts for nine months and has submitted proposals to the government suggesting that more than 500 hotels could partner with the health service to host vaccinations, ease NHS capacity as coronavirus cases rise, and provide accommodation for NHS staff needing to isolate.

Last year two of the group's Dorset properties were transformed into discharge hospitals for NHS patients and carers.

Best Western Great Britain is a membership organisation of approximately 270 independently owned hotels.

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