Speaking at a briefing at the Scottish Government headquarters in Edinburgh, the First Minister said it could be operational within a fortnight and will initially have 300 beds.

She added that in the fours hours since a Scottish Government campaign for volunteers was launched 10,000 people have registered their interest in taking part.

Ms Sturgeon also announced that several NHS screening programmes will be suspended across Scotland.These include breast, cervical and bowel screening.She said the decision "was not taken lightly" and was based on recommendations from the chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood and NHS National Services Scotland.The First Minister said the move would "maximise the ability of the NHS to cope in the coming weeks".Dr Calderwood said screening for pregnant women and for newborn babies would continue as normal.