The oldest Catholic diocesan school on the island is being repurposed to temporarily provide parking, changing and showering facilities for staff at a Belfast hospital during the covid19 emergency.

St Malachy’s College, which was opened in 1833, stands next to the Mater Hospital which is the main hub for coronavirus patients in Belfast.

Two holes are being cut in a wall that separates the buildings so that medical staff may freely move between the two without encountering members of the public.

One of the doorways will be used for staff to enter the hospital after putting on Personal Protective Equipment.

The other will be used at the end of their shifts to enter the school to shower and change before going home.

The College principal Paul McBride said the move will enable staff to get suited and booted before going into work and then get cleaned up and changed so they are infection-free before getting into their cars and going home.