Huge oxygen tank to be moved from Hartlepool hospital to help with coronavirus fight

Work has begin to safely move a 500 litre oxygen tank from its base at Hartlepool hospital in Holdforth Road to a temporary site at University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which runs both hospitals, is reconfiguring all of its services to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trust said there are currently no patients at Hartlepool requiring medical oxygen and it has a supply of oxygen canisters if needed.

Hospital chiefs say the tank will be returned to the Hartlepool site once the pandemic has ended.

The Trust said: “This is to consolidate our oxygen supply in one base and guarantee a provision of medical grade oxygen to treat the most serious cases of COVID-19.

“The tank from Hartlepool will add to the University Hospital of North Tees’ existing provision of a 1,000 litre tank, which also has a 500 litre back up tank.

“Our team is preparing the site at North Tees, using quick drying cement to get foundations in place as quickly as possible.”

“Following the resolution of this global pandemic, the 500 litre oxygen tank will be returned to University Hospital of Hartlepool.

“For Hartlepool, we are fully committed to restoring pre-existing clinical services at the site following the resolution of this global pandemic.”

Work is planned to be completed by Saturday, April 4, subject to ground works.

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