Chelsea offers hotel to NHS staff

NHS hospital staff are to be put up in a hotel owned by Chelsea football club, as part of efforts to help during the coronavirus crisis.

The club said the Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge will be made available to medics in north-west London and the NHS had accepted the offer.

The initiative came from chairman Bruce Buck and owner Roman Abramovich, who will pay for the costs involved, it added.

"It was decided the best way Chelsea can assist the NHS is to provide accommodation for NHS staff," the club said on its website.

"Many of the medical staff will be working long shifts and may not be able to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes.

"Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well-being of these crucial personnel at this critical time."

NHS staff working in hospitals in the north-west London region will be accommodated, but the offer may be extended to hospitals in other districts, the club said.

The hotel will be seconded for a two-month period to begin then will be reviewed. The number of rooms utilised will depend on demand but potentially all of them could be offered.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts, which manages the hotel, will be providing services for NHS residents at the hotel.