Health Foundation -
This research reviews past trends in hospital bed numbers and set out our projections for the number of general and acute beds required in 2030/31 under different assumptions about the time patients spend in hospital. Under the central projections, an additional 23,000 to 39,000 beds would be needed in 2030/31 to deliver 2018/19 rates of care. Policymakers have options available to meet demand but anticipating and planning for the long term is critical to ensure the NHS has the capacity it needs.