Extra hospital beds made available for winter – NHS England

Health bosses in England announce an extra 5,000 hospital beds this winter to support the NHS.

During the busiest time of the year, nearly 100,000 permanent beds will be available, a 5% increase from current levels.

NHS England plans quicker discharge arrangements for medically-fit patients with the help of “care traffic control centres.”

These centres unite NHS, community, housing, and charity teams to coordinate support for patients after leaving the hospital.

The aim is to start discharge plans promptly upon admission, ensuring efficient follow-up care.

Last winter, one-in-eight beds were occupied by patients who could have been discharged if sufficient support was available.

To address this, NHS England wants all areas to have joint teams in place for the upcoming winter.