The number of hospital beds in the United Kingdom has undergone a decline since the year 2000. Whereas in 2000, there were around 240 thousand beds in the UK, by 2023 this figure was approximately 166 thousand. This means over this period, there were around 74 thousand fewer hospital beds in the UK. However, since 2020, the number of hospital beds has been increasing, the first time in the recorded time period. Fewer beds but admissions are still high There were almost 18.5 million admissions to hospital between April 2024 to March 2025 in England. The number of admissions has recovered since the drop in year 2020/21. The busiest hospital trust in England by admissions in the year 2024/25 was the University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust with over 391.5 thousand admissions. The average length of stay in hospitals in the UK in 2022 for acute care was nearly eight days. Accident and Emergency In the second quarter of 2024/5, A&E in England received around 6.7 million attendees. The number of attendances has been creeping upwards since 2012. Around 4 percent of people attending A&E in the last year were diagnosed with either an upper or lower respiratory tract infection, the most common diagnosis.

United Kingdom UK: Hospital Beds: per 1000 People data was reported at 2.900 Number in 2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.980 Number for 2010. United Kingdom UK: Hospital Beds: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 4.600 Number from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2011, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.700 Number in 1960 and a record low of 2.900 Number in 2011. United Kingdom UK: Hospital Beds: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Hospital beds include inpatient beds available in public, private, general, and specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers. In most cases beds for both acute and chronic care are included.; ; Data are from the World Health Organization, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Forecast: Number of Hospital Beds in Publicly Owned Hospitals in the UK 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

The number of available hospital beds in NHS England decreased overall in the recorded time period, reaching a low of 118,473 in 2020/21. The number of hospital beds has since increased to pre-pandemic levels and shows the first signs of growing. As of Q1 2024/25*, there were 131,875 overnight, consultant-led hospital beds in the NHS England.

Forecast: Number of Hospital Beds in the UK 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Number of Hospital Beds in the UK 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

This statistic displays the average daily number of day-only hospital beds available in England from 2000/01 to 2014/15. The number of day-only hospital beds has increased to almost **** thousand in 2014/15.

Average daily number of available and occupied beds by sector, NHS organisations in England Source: Department of Health (DoH) Publisher: Department of Health Geographies: Primary Care Trust (PCT), Strategic Health Authority (SHA) Geographic coverage: England Time coverage: 2000-2001 to 2007-2008 Type of data: Administrative data

The number of publicly owned hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants in the United Kingdom amounted to 249.54 in 2018. The number of beds per 100,000 inhabitants fell by 158.23 from 2000.

On March 31, 2024, there were 50 critical care (CC) beds in England occupied with patients who had tested positive for COVID-19. The number of critical care beds occupied with COVID patients peaked in England on January 22, 2021 when 4,096 patients required critical care treatment. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

This data package contains the hospital bed availability and occupancy data by consultant main specialty and sector as well as data on inpatient and outpatient related hospital activity in England. It also contains information on Sub-Saharan public hospitals.

This publication reports on Admitted Patient Care activity in England for the financial year 2024-25 This report includes but is not limited to analysis of hospital episodes by patient demographics, diagnoses, external causes/injuries, operations, bed days, admission method, time waited, specialty, provider level analysis and Adult Critical Care (ACC). It describes NHS Admitted Patient Care Activity, Adult Critical Care activity and performance in hospitals in England. The purpose of this publication is to inform and support strategic and policy-led processes for the benefit of patient care and may also be of interest to researchers, journalists and members of the public interested in NHS hospital activity in England. The data source for this publication is Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). It contains final data and replaces the provisional data that are released each month. HES contains records of all admissions, appointments and attendances at NHS-commissioned hospital services in England. The HES data used in this publication are called 'Finished Consultant Episodes', and each episode relates to a period of care for a patient under a single consultant at a single hospital. Therefore, this report counts the number of episodes of care for admitted patients rather than the number of patients. This publication shows the number of episodes during the period, with breakdowns including by patient's age, gender, diagnosis, procedure involved and by provider. Please send queries or feedback via email to enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk. Author: Secondary Care Open Data and Publications, NHS England. Lead Analyst: Karl Eichler

Snapshot img

Hospital Beds Market Size 2025-2029

The hospital beds market size is forecast to increase by USD 2.69 billion, at a CAGR of 9.9% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the rising number of medical emergencies and the increase in infectious diseases. The global health crisis has highlighted the importance of having an adequate supply of hospital beds to manage the influx of patients. However, the high cost of automated hospital beds poses a challenge for healthcare providers, as they seek to balance the need for advanced technology with budget constraints. Moreover, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, necessitates long-term hospitalization, further increasing the demand for hospital beds. Additionally, the aging population and their subsequent healthcare needs are also contributing to market growth.
To capitalize on these opportunities, companies can focus on developing cost-effective solutions that offer advanced features, ensuring they cater to the evolving needs of healthcare providers while remaining competitive in the market. Navigating the challenges of cost and affordability will be crucial for market success, as providers seek to optimize their budgets while maintaining the highest level of patient care.

What will be the Size of the Hospital Beds Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
Request Free Sample

The hospital bed market continues to evolve, with dynamic shifts in market trends and applications across various healthcare sectors. Hospital bed frames, a fundamental component of patient care, undergo constant innovation to enhance ergonomics and support systems. Mattresses with advanced pressure distribution technology cater to the unique needs of bariatric patients, while ICU beds integrate intravenous pole systems and height adjustment mechanisms for intensive care. Bedside safety features, such as fall prevention systems and bedside rails, are increasingly integrated into hospital bed designs. Bedside monitors, lighting, and call systems further enhance patient safety and comfort. Hospital bed sustainability is a growing concern, with a focus on recycling and disposal methods, as well as the use of eco-friendly materials in bed covers and linens.

Anti-embolism stockings and durability are essential considerations in hospital bed design, ensuring patient safety and longevity. Hospital bed certification standards continue to evolve, driving innovation in bedside safety and maintenance. The market for hospital bed accessories, such as overbed tables and height adjustment mechanisms, is expanding to cater to diverse patient needs. Ergonomics and aesthetics are increasingly important in hospital bed design, with a focus on patient comfort and satisfaction. The integration of electric actuators and sterilization systems further enhances the functionality and efficiency of hospital beds. The ongoing development of pressure relief systems and anti-decubitus mattresses underscores the continuous pursuit of innovation in this dynamic market.

How is this Hospital Beds Industry segmented?

The hospital beds industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Manual beds
  Semi-automated beds
  Automated beds


Application

  Intensive care
  Acute care
  Home care


End-user

  Hospitals
  Home healthcare
  Elderly care facilities
  Ambulatory surgical centers


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

.

By Product Insights

The manual beds segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market encompasses a range of products designed for healthcare settings, including manual and electric beds, bariatric beds, ICU beds, and recovery room beds. These beds prioritize ergonomics, offering mattress support systems, adjustable frames, and pressure distribution systems to ensure patient comfort and support. Hospital bed sustainability is a growing concern, leading to the development of eco-friendly materials and recycling programs for bed components. Bedside tables, rails, and lighting provide added functionality, while certifications ensure safety and compliance. Hospital bed linens and covers, along with anti-embolism stockings, contribute to patient care and hygiene. Fall prevention systems and repair services ensure patient safety and bed longevity.

Operating room tables and electric actuators facilitate efficien

Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) is a data warehouse containing records of all patients admitted to NHS hospitals in England. It contains details of every hospital stay in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. The Kennedy report recommended that HES should be "supported as a major national resource for the monitoring of a range of healthcare outcomes". Note: (04/02/13) An update to the Hospital Episode Statistics: Admitted Patient Care 2011-12 Summary Report has been published. Chart 3 has been updated to include 2011-12 data. Note: (28/01/13) An update to the Hospital Episode Statistics: Admitted Patient Care 2011-12 Summary Report has been published. This updates and corrects the 2011-12 figure for bariatric surgery for obesity to include new OPCS 4.6 procedure codes that were introduced in April 2011

Following public consultation these publications will be released as a single publication on a yearly basis from September 2011: Annual summary of outpatient activity Annual summary of inpatient and day case activity, procedures and diagnoses Annual summary of bed statistics Annual summary of childhood hospital admissions Emergency and Multiple Admissions Length of stay information Same day surgery information Allied Health Professional and Nurse Led clinics data Source agency: ISD Scotland (part of NHS National Services Scotland) Designation: National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Annual Acute Hospital Activity and NHS Beds information

In 2016 and 2018, parents in England were asked to rate their experience with the facilities for staying overnight at NHS hospitals during their child's stay. According to the results, ** percent of parents found the facilities for their overnight stay at the hospital to be very good, compared to ** percent who rated their stay as very good in 2016.

In 2023, there were an estimated 1,850 hospitals in the United Kingdom. The number of hospitals in the UK had been declining prior to 2015, standing at 1,568 in 2014, before slightly rising again in the subsequent years. Healthcare indicators Expenditure on health in the UK amounted to 10.9 percent of the GDP in 2023. This proportion has been increasing since 2000, with 2020 and 2021 being outliers. The pressure on general practices has been increasing in the UK in the last ten years. In 2016, there were 7.8 thousand patients to each GP practice on average in the NHS England. By 2023 it came to over 10.2 thousand patients to a practice. Opinion of healthcare in the country The quality of British healthcare is decreasing. In a survey of 12 European countries, only 50 percent of British respondents rated the quality of their accessible healthcare as good/very good, while nearly 20 percent regarded it as poor/very poor. This was the fifth place among countries surveyed, down from its top spot in 2018, when 73 percent of the public gave good ratings. Similarly, only 51 percent of Brits surveyed trusted that they received the best treatment offered, compared to 19 percent who did not.

HES is the national statistical data warehouse for England of the care provided by NHS hospitals and for NHS hospital patients treated elsewhere. HES is the data source for a wide range of healthcare analysis for the NHS, government and many other organisations and individuals. It does not include private activity.

Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) is a database containing details of all admissions, A and E attendances and outpatient appointments at NHS hospitals in England.

Initially this data is collected during a patient's time at hospital as part of the Commissioning Data Set (CDS). This is submitted to NHS Digital for processing and is returned to healthcare providers as the Secondary Uses Service (SUS) data set and includes information relating to payment for activity undertaken. It allows hospitals to be paid for the care they deliver.

This same data can also be processed and used for non-clinical purposes, such as research and planning health services. Because these uses are not to do with direct patient care, they are called 'secondary uses'. This is the HES data set.

HES data covers all NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England, including:

• private patients treated in NHS hospitals
• patients resident outside of England
• care delivered by treatment centres (including those in the independent sector) funded by the NHS

Each HES record contains a wide range of information about an individual patient admitted to an NHS hospital, including:

• clinical information about diagnoses and operations
• patient information, such as age group, gender and ethnicity
• administrative information, such as dates and methods of admission and discharge
• geographical information such as where patients are treated and the area where they live

We apply a strict statistical disclosure control in accordance with the NHS Digital protocol, to all published HES data. This suppresses small numbers to stop people identifying themselves and others, to ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained.

Timescales for dissemination can be found under 'Our Service Levels' at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/data-access-request-service-dars/data-access-request-service-dars-process

Description

The purpose of this initiative is to build an integrated dataset on Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and their availability by country and region (at the highest regional granularity provided by the sources), using a data model standardized across countries.

Currently, ICU data is stored in different country-specific sources, with a wide range of access points (national websites, APIs, excel or csv files, etc.)

Given current COVID-19 crisis, we believe that this information should be provided with the following: * common standardized structure * single point of access * open to the public

We hope that these datasets will further benefit researchers and help us in the fight against COVID-19.

Countries and sources:

• Italy (as of 2019 - source: Ministero della Salute)
• United Kingdom
  • England (as of 2020 - source: NHS England)
  • Wales (as of 2019 - source: StatsWales)
  • Scotland (as of 1998, projected on 2020 whole figure - sources: Scottish Health Directorate & Herald Scotland)
  • Northern Ireland (as of 2020, w/o sub-area granularity - source: Derry Journal)
• US (as of 2018 - source: Harvard Global Health Institute)
• Spain (as of 2013 - source: Medicina Intensiva)
• Germany (updated daily, not complete - source DIVI Intensiv Register)