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 2020 this figure was approximately 163 thousand. This means over this period there were over 80 thousand fewer hospital beds in the UK. However in the recent years since 2020, the number of hospital beds have been increasing, the first time in the recorded time period.

Fewer beds but admissions are still high

There were almost 16.4 million admissions to hospital between April 2022 to March 2023 in England. The number of admissions has recovered somewhat since the drop in year 2020/21. The busiest hospital trust in England by admissions in the year 2022/23 was the University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust with over 333 thousand admissions. The average length of stay in hospitals in the UK in 2021 for acute care was seven days.

Accident and Emergency

In the first quarter of 2023/24, A&E in England received around 6.5 million attendees. The number of attendances has been creeping upwards since 2012. Around 2.4 percent of people attending A&E in the last year were diagnosed with an upper respiratory condition, followed by 1.8 percent with a lower respiratory tract infection.

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;

Hospital Beds in the United Kingdom remained unchanged at 2.44 per 1000 people in 2023 from 2.44 per 1000 people in 2022. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom Hospital Beds.

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

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

The number of publicly owned hospital beds in the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2019 shows a general decrease with a few fluctuations. The number of hospital owned hospital beds in the UK were approximately 163.9 thousand in 2019.

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

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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.
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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

Hospital services are currently being stretched at the seams as they struggle to navigate financial constraints and workforce shortages while appointment waiting times remain high. Hospitals faced unrivalled pressure during the COVID-19 outbreak and this necessitated the release of significant government funding to help hospitals boost their capacity to treat afflicted patients. According to the King’s Fund, NHS funding rose from £148.9 billion in 2019-20 to £191 billion in 2020-21. Hospitals are still facing long elective backlogs, growing by around 100,000 cases monthly, according to the BMA. Over the five years through 2024-25, industry revenue is therefore expected to marginally rise at a compound annual rate of 0.2% to reach £115.1 billion. Hospitals are contending with stagnant real-term funding growth, exacerbated by inflationary pressures in the three years through 2024-25 and increasing demand for healthcare services due to a growing and ageing population. NHS England has a planned 2024-25 budget of £165 billion in real terms, which is only a 0.2% rise on 2023-24. In March 2025, the government announced plans to abolish NHS England, in a move to remove administrative hurdles it feels are preventing improvements in the hospital sector. Hospitals have been pressured to manage costs while dealing with a workforce crisis, highlighted by dependency on temporary staff to maintain safe staffing levels. Public healthcare budgets have failed to keep pace with soaring demand. Hospitals are struggling to match pre-COVID-19 activity levels, which has boosted demand for private hospitals as more patients seek private treatment. As a result, industry revenue is projected to grow by 0.9% in 2024-25. Revenue is estimated to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.3% over the five years through 2029-30 to £128.7 billion. Hospitals’ performance will depend on how much funding is available for an already over-burdened institution. The Labour government’s plan for hospitals over the next decade will be released in spring 2025 which will determine what resources are at the industry’s disposal in the coming years. With workforce shortages projected to worsen without substantial investments in training and recruitment, hospitals will need a plan to build a sustainable long-term staffing model. Dependency on international recruitment will become more of a challenge as global healthcare systems grapple with their own workforce shortages. Embracing technological advancements and digitisation like virtual wards will be key to improving efficiency and patient care, with planned capital funding aimed at transforming medical technology.

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.

This publication reports on Admitted Patient Care activity in England for the financial year 2023-24. 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

London was the city in the United Kingdom with the highest costs for constructing a general hospital in 2024. Meanwhile, among cities included in this selection, Leeds was the cheapest one to build that kind of structure. The expenses of such a construction in London were over *** British pounds higher than in Glasgow. The capital of the UK is the most expensive area for public building construction. Hospital bed numbers still in decline The number of hospital beds in the UK has been declining since 2000. Between 2000 and 2020, figures decreased from ******* to ******* number of beds. The reduction in hospital beds is, among other reasons, attributed to technical improvements in surgery rooms, patients with mental health problems being treated in different settings, and most importantly, cuts to NHS funding. However, the number of beds increased slightly again in 2021 and 2022. Increased healthcare spend Despite past funding cuts and declining availability of hospital beds, healthcare spending has significantly increased in the past twenty years. In 2022, expenditure reached a peak of nearly *** billion British pounds, whereas in 2000, this figure amounted to ** billion British pounds. The value of healthcare expenditure as a share of GDP also increased significantly in the past years.

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

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.

Hospitals in the United Kingdom decreased to 29.73 per one million people in 2022 from 29.78 per one million people in 2021. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom Hospitals.

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Electrical Hospital Beds Market Size 2024-2028

The electrical hospital beds market size is forecast to increase by USD 1.01 billion at a CAGR of 6.35% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by several key factors. The increasing number of hospital beds globally is a major growth driver, as electrical hospital beds offer advanced features and improved patient care compared to traditional beds. Additionally, the growth of medical tourism is fueling market expansion, as these beds are often preferred for their advanced functionality and comfort. Hospital beds, as hospital accessories and hospital supplies, play a crucial role In the overall hospital bed market, which includes rehabilitation equipment and medical furniture. However, the high cost of electrical hospital beds remains a challenge for the market, limiting their adoption in some healthcare facilities. Despite this, the market is expected to continue growing due to the increasing demand for advanced patient care and the ongoing development of more cost-effective solutions.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

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The market encompasses a range of medical beds designed for patient care in healthcare facilities. These beds, which include Adjustable Beds and Patient Care Beds, are essential Hospital Room Equipment that prioritize Patient Comfort and Safety. Electric Beds, a type of Medical Furniture, offer various Hospital Bed Features and Functions, such as adjustable height, angle, and backrest, making them ideal for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Rehabilitation Centers. 
Patient Mobility is another crucial aspect of these beds, enabling easy transfer of patients and reducing the risk of injury. Medical Technology advances continue to influence the market, with innovations in Bedside Assistance, Patient Recovery, and Hospital Supplies enhancing patient care. The market is driven by the growing demand for advanced patient care solutions and the increasing population of elderly individuals requiring long-term care.

How is this Industry segmented and which is the largest segment?

The industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Product

  Specialty electrical hospital beds
  Standard electrical hospital beds


Type

  Semi-electric
  Fully electric


Geography

  North America

    Canada
    US


  Europe

    Germany
    UK


  Asia

    China


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The specialty electrical hospital beds segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market encompasses a range of Medical beds designed for patient care in healthcare facilities. These beds, which include Adjustable beds, Patient comfort beds, Electric beds, Rehabilitation beds, ICU beds, Nursing beds, and Elderly care beds, are integral components of Hospital infrastructure. They offer Bedside assistance, enhancing patient mobility and safety, while ensuring optimal patient comfort. Medical devices and Hospital supplies, such as Medical furniture, Rehabilitation equipment, and Patient support systems, are often integrated into these beds. Hospital bed design features Electric technology, allowing for customizable functions and specifications tailored to Patient recovery needs. Hospital bed functions include adjustable height, tilt, and angle options, ensuring Patient safety and comfort during medical procedures and rehabilitation.

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The specialty electrical hospital beds segment was valued at USD 1.23 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

North America is estimated to contribute 34% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. The market encompasses a range of Medical beds designed for patient care in healthcare facilities. These beds, which include Adjustable beds, Patient care beds, Electric beds, Rehabilitation beds, ICU beds, Nursing beds, and Elderly care beds, are integral to the Hospital infrastructure. They offer Bedside assistance, enhancing Patient comfort and safety. Medical devices integrated into these beds, such as patient support systems and medical appliances, facilitate Patient mobility and recovery.

For more insights on the market size of various regions, Request Free Sample

Hospital accessories and supplies, including Hospital bed design, features, functions, and specifications, contribute to the effective delivery of Healthcare services. Rehabilitati

The number of psychiatric care beds in the United Kingdom increased by 969 (+4.25 percent) in 2022 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the number of psychiatric care beds amounted to 23,782 in 2022. Find more statistics on other topics about the United Kingdom with key insights such as number of specialist surgeons and number of students who graduated as midwives.

Brackets indicate 95% confidence intervals (generated through parametric bootstrapping).

As of October 2023, there were approximately ******* hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants available in Japan, down from around ***** beds in 2014. The total number of hospital beds available during the measured period was approximately *** million. In Japan, the term “hospitals” refers to healthcare facilities with more than ** beds for hospital admissions. Smaller-scale medical facilities are categorized as medical clinics. Hospital beds Japan is one of the countries with the highest density of hospital beds worldwide. When classified according to the type of patients, most of the beds are provided for patients with common diseases, followed by psychiatric patients. Hospital stay Japan is also known for its long length of hospital stay for inpatients. In 2021, the average length of hospital stay of all patients in Japanese hospitals amounted to approximately **** days. The patients with common diseases stayed hospitalized for an average of **** days. This number was much higher than that of inpatients in other countries such as Germany, France, UK, and the US.