Luxury sleeper buses provide rest for NHS staff at North Tees

Northern Trust first in region to join forces with luxury sleeper bus company

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The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is the first in the region to provide staff with rest accommodation inside luxury sleeper buses repurposed from the music touring industry.

By The Tees Editorial Desk · 21 April 2020

The interior of a luxury sleeper bus used for NHS staff Image: Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation TrustOriginal source

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The project, led by Vans for Bands, aims to offer frontline workers a place to relax or sleep during or after shifts. The is supported by musicians and entertainers who have helped open the fleet to hospitals nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vehicles, which include kitchens, lounges, and individual bunk beds, are being placed on-site to assist staff who may face long commutes or need a quiet space to recharge. The project is non-profit, with crowdfunding covering the operational costs of maintaining the buses at hospital locations.

Trust management and facilities staff are coordinating with the provider to ensure the buses remain clean and secure. The scheme is designed to help staff maintain social distancing while providing comfort equivalent to their home environments.

Vans for Bands noted that their fleet became available after the live music industry faced widespread cancellations. The company is subsidising the project for the duration of the current crisis.

Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2020-04-21. The original source image has been and credited.