Frontline workers bid farewell to Glasgow's NHS Louisa Jordan

The facility, set up to support the NHS Scotland during Covid-19, officially closed its doors permanently today. 

After being open since July last year, the temporary hospital did not treat any coronavirus patients and instead, was used to distribute virus vaccinations. 

Thousands of outpatients also had consultations at the facility for a range of services including dermatology and plastic surgery. 

READ MORE: GMB Scotland: Living Ambitions care workers in Glasgow demand pay rise

Ann Peacock, from Airdrie, was one of the "delighted" patients treated at the venue which is more used for hosting concerts and conferences than health care services.

She said: “I was having some issues with my knee so I contacted my GP who referred me to an orthopaedic consultant. 

“I was a bit anxious that there would be a lengthy wait because of the coronavirus restrictions. However, I was delighted to be seen within about two or three weeks.”

The 70-year-old, who was a keen badminton player when she was younger, had a pin inserted into her knee over 50 years ago at Law Hospital in Lanarkshire.

Having experience some issues last year, Ann had an orthopaedic outpatient consultation in September 2020 at the NHS Louisa Jordan.

READ MORE: Glasgow's NHS Louisa Jordan to close as vaccination centre moves to Hydro

Ann added: “The SEC looked totally different from the last time I was there which was for an arts and crafts fair. It was so well organised and everyone was so helpful. The people there were so nice and professional, especially my consultant Mr Howie.”

Laura Hamilton, NHS Lanarkshire Business Support Manager for Trauma and Orthopaedics, said: “The Louisa Jordan has been a fantastic opportunity for our orthopaedic services. 

“Due to coronavirus restrictions in hospitals, it was very frustrating and disheartening to not be able to offer patients an appointment or even an indication of when they would be seen.

“The Louisa Jordan changed that for us. Everyone had such a positive attitude towards getting the facility set up for us to use. It gave us a much needed purpose and the chance to see patients who needed a face to face appointment.

“I certainly enjoyed the time I spent out there, seeing my clinical colleagues continuing to provide great service to our patients. I almost enjoyed it as much as the time I attended an Enrique Iglesias concert at the SEC.

“Over 5000 patients later, it gives the team a great sense of pride to know what we have achieved for our patients.”

The NHS Louisa Jordan was kitted out with cubicles for consultations, hospital beds and medical equipment such as x-ray machines and CT scanners.

Mr Alistair Murray, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and NHS Lanarkshire Clinical Director for Orthopaedics, said: “Many countries around the world set up temporary hospitals in case they needed extra capacity. 

“It was quite awe-inspiring to see thousands of cubicles with beds, all empty, and imagining what it could have been like had it been the worst case scenario and it had to be used in the way it was envisaged. It was something that I will never forget. 

“Thankfully, the Louisa Jordan was not required for its original purpose. This meant there was a huge space that was fully kitted out that could be put to some use. 

“For safety reasons, we were unable to see the usual number of patients in our existing hospitals and other healthcare settings in Lanarkshire. From my point of view, the Louisa Jordan has been fantastic for seeing patients and having contact with patients who needed to see us."