Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: NHS Bed Capacity

Tuesday 12 January 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Covid-19 has significantly impacted NHS bed capacity, with over 32,000 beds occupied by covid patients as of the latest data.
  • Beds and increased capacity are allocated based on where they are needed, with London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust under significant pressure.
  • The government is involving independent sector capacity, Nightingale capacity, and increasing NHS capacity to support the healthcare system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
NHS
Context

The MP noted that the impact of the new strain of COVID-19 has significantly affected NHS bed capacity across the UK.

Question

What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on bed capacity throughout the NHS?

Answer from Edward Argar

Covid, and particularly the new strain of covid, has had a significant impact on NHS bed capacity. As of 10 January, 30,758 beds across the NHS were occupied by covid patients. In just the past day, that has risen to around 32,000, which is over a third of all available beds. The latest bed occupancy data shows that just shy of 80,000 of the NHS's roughly 90,000 total general and acute beds were occupied.

Answered
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Q2 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted the pressure on local hospitals in high-need mixed ethnicity areas such as Ealing Hospital, which is currently on black alert.

Question

Can the Minister guarantee that this will not just be a bureaucratic exercise? Will we take a population-based approach, listen to clinicians in apportioning capacity and allow hospitals in high-need mixed ethnicity areas their fair share?

Answer from Edward Argar

I can reassure the hon. Lady that beds and increased capacity, where we put them in place, are allocated on the basis of where they are needed. The team at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust is under significant pressure with a critical care bed occupancy rate of 98.7%. We look to ensure that all areas receive the resources they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific guarantees but acknowledged the situation and committed to ensuring resource allocation.

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Q3 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
NHS
Context

The MP noted that the NHS in London is facing significant pressure, with hospitals postponing urgent cancer surgery due to bed shortages.

Question

Will the Minister therefore commit to fully opening the London Nightingale hospital, secure the use of London's private hospitals for cancer treatment, and invest in the number of beds in our NHS for the long term?

Answer from Edward Argar

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight the pressure that the NHS and critical care are under in London. We are involving independent sector capacity, Nightingale capacity and increasing NHS capacity—all those, alongside other measures—to ensure our NHS continues to be able to treat those who need this care at this time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit explicitly to opening the London Nightingale hospital but mentioned involving independent sector capacity and increasing NHS capacity.

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Q4 Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted the morale issues among NHS staff due to a decade of cuts and pay freezes, emphasizing the critical role of staff in patient care.

Question

Does the Health Minister regret how the Government have made frontline workers feel and can he promise to change that?

Answer from Edward Argar

I reiterate my thanks to the hon. Lady and all her colleagues in the NHS for everything they are doing. We have put in place just over 1,000 additional critical care bed capacity at this time. In addition, we are investing about £15 million for mental health hubs and mental health support for staff.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly address the regret question but reassured frontline workers of their value and provided details on additional measures.

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