Medical chiefs call for 5,000 more beds to avoid logjams

THE NHS must urgently build the equivalent of eight new hospitals to prevent dangerous overcrowding and long waiting times, medical leaders have said.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is calling for at least 5,000 more beds to prevent a repeat of the chaos seen across parts of the health service last winter.

Research by the professional body found some hospitals are only managing to see 50 per cent of A&E patients within four hours during the winter months, despite the Government target being 95 per cent.

The extra beds, which would represent roughly a 4 per cent increase on the 130,000 currently in existence, would also help achieve an average spare bed ratio of 15 per cent, the RCEM says.

Maintaining this buffer is considered crucial for preventing logjams in hospitals during periods of peak demand. But, on average, more than 95 per cent of beds across English hospitals were occupied every day last winter.

NHS England is currently understood to be carrying out a major assessment of the current bed base, with a view to preparing for this winter.

Dr Christopher Moulton, the RCEM vice-president, said the extra 5,000 beds would be a “modest increase”, but added: “It would significantly help flow and reduce healthcare-acquired infections.”

He told the Health Service Journal: “As well as raising numbers we also need to address staffing at all levels.”