Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

British Medical Association Report shows fall in overnight hospital beds may be harming patient safety (27 February 2017)

Date: 27/02/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, British Medical Association Report shows fall in overnight hospital beds may be harming patient safety

The British Medical Association (BMA) has said that a ten-year fall in the number of overnight hospital beds available has created a “mismatch” in supply and demand in the NHS.

In BMA analysis of bed numbers, occupancy and rising demand across the UK, researchers also found that doctors were reporting “substantial problems and strains” in the NHS bed system.

The report – State of the Health System, Beds in the NHS:UK – says:

“In the UK – at a time when demand for NHS care is growing – the number of beds has continued to decline significantly. There is a concern among doctors and other healthcare professionals that staff may feel pressured to free up beds. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to patients being discharged before it is safe or appropriate to do so.”

Authors of State of the Health System, Beds in the NHS:UK find that, in England in the first week of January 2017, nearly three-quarters of trusts had occupancy rates of more than 95% on at least one day – and nearly one in seven patients waited more than four hours in emergency departments for beds in November 2016.

A 44% drop in mental health service beds has also led to “particularly acute pressures”, says the report – on average, a total of 726 patients had to be found beds out of their areas between March and October 2016.

BMA council chair Mark Porter said the figures painted a bleak picture of an NHS at “breaking point”.

“High bed occupancy is a symptom of wider pressure and demand on an overstretched and under-funded system,” said Dr Porter.

"It causes delays in admissions, operations being cancelled and patients being unfairly and sometimes repeatedly let down. The delays that vulnerable patients are facing – particularly those with mental health issues – have almost become the norm and this is unacceptable. Failures within the social care system are also having a considerable knock on effect on an already stretched and under-funded NHS.”

The report recommends several measures for NHS bed plans to help close the gap between supply and demand, including the need to plan ahead for service demands and anticipate changes in population health needs.

There should also be a focus on quality care, safety and patient experience with funding and support for community care, so that patients can leave hospital without delay, says the report.

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis clinical negligence solicitors can advise NHS patients who have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims involving:

  • A&E negligence
  • Birth injuries
  • Cancer misdiagnosis
  • Cosmetic surgery negligence
  • Failure to diagnose/refer/treat
  • Fatal injuries
  • GP negligence
  • Hospital-acquired infections
  • Paramedic negligence
  • Poor care in hospitals and care homes
  • Retained surgical instruments
  • Surgical errors
  • Triage errors
  • Wrong or unnecessary medical treatment.


  • Medical negligence claims have to be made within three years of the date when it became evident that negligence had occurred – children can make clinical negligence claims up to the age of 21.

    Duncan Lewis offers specialist advice on high-value medical negligence claims where catastrophic injury, life changing injury or fatal injury has occurred as a result of medical negligence

    For expert legal advice on no win no fee Medical Negligence Claims, call Duncan Lewis clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

    Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
    Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.