"It was a PRexercise in showing they could do it, ultimately planned for use next winter if needed"
Racedo - sometimes you really allow your skepticism to go crazy - it was necessary (just like the Chinese hospital built in a week) IN CASE the NHS was overwhelmed. My friends in parts of Italy & Spain tell some awful stories of what it was like when local hospitals came close to collapse. Patients stored in operating theatres, corridors, canteens, garages...................... Sure it cost money but it was a very wise precaution - and having done it once they now know exactly how to do it better, faster, cheaper next time