Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is being transformed into a COVID-19 testing site for NHS workers and their families, as well as a temporary hospital ward.
For a while, a question has been on many people’s minds during this pandemic. Our thoughts have been with all the NHS workers, but why have staff not been given priority to COVID-19 tests? (Featured Image: Tottenham Hotspur, Instagram)
You’d think healthcare workers would top the list of those who require tests for the virus. Surely, nurses and doctors who work on the frontline of the pandemic fight need it more than the host of celebrities and politicians who have seemingly had easy access?
Well, an unlikely hero has opened their stadium doors as a site to finally implement these necessary tests. Tottenham Hotspur has provided their stadium as grounds for large-scale “drive-through COVID-19 testing and swabbing for NHS staff, families and their dependents”. The North London football club released a statement today (April 13) outlining their plans for the testing facility.
They are the first (hopefully of many) Premier League grounds to implement such a measure, following in the footsteps of other sporting venues around the world. This aims to finally give NHS workers the tests they need and deserve after fearlessly battling this virus on the frontline.
Additionally, the stadium will also be partially used as an extension of North Middlesex hospital. It will temporarily be home to the Woman’s Outpatient Services. This will allow more of the hospital to be opened up to treat those with COVID-19 symptoms. Moreover, it will redirect many pregnant women away from the hospital at the height of the pandemic.
Along with these new initiatives, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation will continue to run the following programmes online:
– ‘Move 4 You’ cancer rehabilitation programme.
– Virtual seated exercise classes delivered within local elderly care homes.
– Employment advice and up-skilling activities.
– Functional Skills courses.
– Personal development and character-building activities.
It’s great to see football clubs providing support for the much-needed testing for healthcare workers. Now, the onus is still on the government to fulfil their promises and provide the tests.