A unit capable of accommodating 100 patients with Covid-19 will be set up at a Kent hospital as the NHS goes "on a war footing" in the fight against Omicron.

The so-called 'Nightingale' facility is planned for the grounds of the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford in anticipation of a wave of hospital admissions driven by spiralling infection rates.

One of eight new 'surge hubs' nationwide, the health services says it will be led by hospital consultants and nurses, but with other clinical and non-clinical staff brought in with rapid training to be able to perform routine checks and other tasks.

The beds would be for patients requiring less intensive care, freeing up beds on other wards for those more seriously ill with Covid-19.

In the south east, excluding London, the rate of infection per 100,000 people has reached more than 1,200 - higher than at any point this year.

More than 1,000 patients are currently in hospital for treatment for coronavirus in the south east region.

NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: "Given the high level of Covid-19 infections and increasing hospital admissions, the NHS is now on a war footing.

"We do not yet know exactly how many of those who catch the virus will need hospital treatment, but given the number of infections we cannot wait to find out before we act and so work is beginning from today to ensure these facilities are in place.

"We hoped never to have to use the original Nightingales and I hope we never to have to use these new hubs."

The NHS says Trusts have been asked to identify areas such as gyms and education centres that could be converted to accommodate patients.

If required, more Nightingale sites could be added to create up to 4,000 extra beds across the country.

Health secretary Sajid Javid said: "We've backed the NHS at every turn throughout this pandemic to make sure it provides the care and treatment people need.

"I want to thank the tireless efforts of our health workers on the frontline who are delivering for patients every day.

"We hope the Nightingale surge hubs at hospitals will not have to be used but it is absolutely right that we prepare for all scenarios and increase capacity."

Meanwhile, work continues on an expansion to the A&E department at the William Harvey Hospital and it is expected the structure of the building will be complete in the spring.

Elsewhere at the hospital, the new critical care unit is being fitted out and should be open in the new year.

"It's hugely important we have better A&E facilities at the Harvey," Ashford MP Damian Green said.

"I've been fighting for this for years so I'm very much looking forward to the day next year when we see it in operation.

"Just increasing the capacity of the hospital means that pressure all round will be relieved."