Member Article

Lack of beds a major NHS concern

Over nine in 10 (94%) medical professionals are concerned about the lack of beds on wards according to new findings from the British Health Report 2015, commissioned by Your Legal Friend. Over three quarters (77%) of medical professionals believe the pressure on bed availability leads to an increased waiting time, strain on resources (74%) and patient dissatisfaction (72%).

The findings of the British Health Report 2015 found that there is huge disparity when it comes to how long patients spend in hospitals after an operation. The East of England tops the table, with patients spending on average eight days in hospital, followed by the South West (seven days) and the Midlands (six days). In contrast, those in London spend just four days in hospital after surgery and those in the North West, North East and Northern Ireland just three days.

This compares to the national average stay in hospital following an operation which is five days. Clearly, across the UK there is considerable inconsistency in how long patients spend in post-surgery care, which must put extra pressure on the limited number of beds in our regions’ hospitals.

It comes as no surprise that surgeons are the most concerned about the lack of available beds, as this dictates whether patients can be admitted for elective surgery. Almost four fifths (78%) of surgeons express extreme concern, with nine in 10 stating that this has an adverse impact on waiting times.

Laura Morgan, Director of Medical Negligence at Your Legal Friend, commented: “The NHS is a national institution that is cherished by so many. However, as we see more top hospitals placed under special measures, there is a clear indication that hospitals across the country need more support. Patients must continue to receive the highest standard of care and the severe lack of bed space across the country could have a critical impact on patients’ care. As the pressure continues to mount on the NHS, it is vital that there is an increase in investment to match demand. Without increasing beds and the number of professionals available to treat people, there could be unnecessary and devastating consequences for patients.”

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