NHS Beds, 2008-09

Statistics on NHS beds include data for the period up to the end of March 2009. The latest release updates the statistics previously released on 28 October 2008.

The key points from the latest release are:

Between 2007-08 and 2008-09:

• The total number of NHS beds (1) fell by 238 (1.8 per cent) to 13,116.
• The number of beds in acute specialties fell by 160 (1.8 per cent) to 8,881.

Over the ten years from 1998-99 to 2008-09:

• The number of NHS beds in total fell by 1,781 (12 per cent).
• The number of beds in acute and geriatric specialties fell by 836 (8 per cent).
• Beds in the mental health sector fell by 853 (27 per cent) to 2,267.
• The percentage occupancy increased from 79.3 to 82.5 per cent.
• Annual throughput (number of patients treated per bed) increased from 35.1 to 40.1.
• The average duration of stay decreased from 8.3 to 7.5 days.

(1) Average daily available.

Further information can be found on the StatsWales website.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 5080
E-mail: stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

October 2010 (provisional - to be confirmed on the 'Due Out Soon' page)