First reported 13 Feb 2014•Latest report 12 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes deficiencies in the availability, adequacy or geographic provision of psychiatric inpatient beds, including resulting admission delays and dedicated bed-allocation or patient-flow measures used to manage the shortage.
Not included
Excludes generic acute hospital or emergency-department bed shortages that are not specifically psychiatric.
Excludes general discharge-planning, discharge-documentation or medication failures unless they are explicitly identified as part of managing psychiatric inpatient bed capacity.
Excludes training, communication or staffing deficiencies that are not dedicated to psychiatric inpatient capacity management.
Excludes the safety of an individual discharge where the underlying recurring concern is not insufficient psychiatric inpatient bed capacity.
Reports
67
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
79
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
185
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care41
NHS England33
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board10
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust7
NHS Devon Integrated Care Board3
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board3
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board3
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust3
Birmingham City Council2
Care Quality Commission2
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust2
Department for Education2
Devon Partnership NHS Trust2
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership2
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust2
Ministerial department41
Executive non-departmental public body34
NHS trust29
Integrated care board27
Clinical commissioning group2
English metropolitan district council2
Health and social care service regulator2
Health-system partnership2
Police force2
Domiciliary care provider1
Health and care professional regulator1
Healthcare site1
London borough council1
Private limited company1
Professional body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Fewer mental health beds than patients assessed as needing them
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised2
Insufficient availability of Tier 4 paediatric mental health beds
Unavailability of Tier 4 paediatric mental health beds for children and young people remaining on acute paediatric wards
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Publish implementation guidance defining a comprehensive 24/7 urgent and emergency mental health offer for children and young people.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Establish intensive home treatment services across Sussex as an alternative to hospital admission where safe.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Provide early discharge planning through intensive home treatment services to reduce prolonged hospital stays and dependence on inpatient admission.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Lack of locally and nationally available beds for mental health admissions
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Roll out 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres, specialist mental health emergency departments and 24/7 psychiatric liaison teams.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Action
Provide £75 million in additional capital for local systems to improve bed capacity and reduce out-of-area placements.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Action
Consider providing more mental health beds within a whole-system transformation approach.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Action
Issue operational planning guidance directing systems to reduce average adult acute mental health ward length of stay and improve access to local beds.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Action
Reduce and eliminate the use of out-of-area placements.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Action
Implement the Therapeutic acute Inpatient Operating Model to reduce length of stay and support purposeful admissions, flow and safe discharge planning.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Action
Work with ICBs, NHS England and system partners to address admission and discharge bed pressures, including delayed community discharges.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
EPUT is best placed to comment on evidence that patients may wait in the open reception area for days or weeks for a bed.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England is responsible for responding to concerns about the local and national shortage of mental health admission beds.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Insufficient capacity in the secure mental health unit estate
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Review local causes of delays against the 28-day prison-to-hospital transfer target with providers, including guidance, escalation pathways, referral forms and contact lists.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 December 2025.
Action
Map emergency admission arrangements across adult forensic provider collaboratives, including out-of-hours access.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 December 2025.
Action
Develop a national adult forensic Access Assessment Services specification requiring emergency adult forensic bed admission arrangements, including out-of-hours access.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 December 2025.
Action
Launch and maintain a national database of adult forensic Access Assessment Services with referral and out-of-hours contact information.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 December 2025.
Action
Continue the national programme addressing delays in transfers from prison to mental health hospitals.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 December 2025.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of independent-sector mental health beds
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Make £75 million of additional capital available to improve local mental health bed capacity and reduce Out of Area Placements.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 October 2025.
Action
Invest £2.3 billion in mental health services under the Long Term Plan, including funding for adult community, crisis and acute services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 October 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Individual trusts and local health systems are responsible for assessing and managing local mental health bed capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Lack of available mental health in-patient beds for very high-risk patients who cannot be safely managed in the community
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Make £75 million of additional capital available to improve local mental health bed capacity and reduce out-of-area placements.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Action
Invest £2.3 billion in mental health services, including approximately £1.3 billion for adult community, crisis and acute services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Action
Reduce and eliminate the use of out-of-area placements where local inpatient beds are unavailable.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
When local beds are unavailable, existing out-of-area placements ensure inpatient care is delivered if clinically needed.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
When admission capacity is insufficient, existing community safeguards and priority escalation arrangements manage risk or secure inpatient provision.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Local trusts and health systems are expected to assess and manage local mental-health bed capacity through patient flow.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Severe shortage of beds in mental health facilities
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Issue operational planning guidance requiring local systems to improve mental-health crisis flow and reduce emergency-department waits exceeding 12 hours.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 August 2025.
Action
Invest £75 million in 2025/26 capital funding to reduce mental-health out-of-area placements.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 August 2025.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Lack of psychiatric hospital beds resulting in prolonged emergency department detention
This report raised 12 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Increase the number of funded inpatient mental health beds for the Trust’s population.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Continue improving service flow, aligning operational processes and reducing unnecessary inpatient delays and length of stay.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Continue the Mind and Body Provider Collaborative improvement programme with acute care partners, using clinical, escalation and risk-management frameworks.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Provide daily escalation and weekly executive oversight of patients awaiting psychiatric admission through collaboration with SABP and the ICB.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Maintain regular cross-boundary system calls and agreed escalation arrangements between Epsom General Hospital and mental health providers.
Stated by NHS Southwest London Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Work with the commissioned mental health trust to improve the urgent care pathway, maximise appropriate crisis alternatives, and reduce delays in accessing inpatient beds.
Stated by NHS Southwest London Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Use the assessment outputs to identify pathway gaps, support future commissioning and winter planning, and produce tailored improvement plans for mental healthcare delivery.
Stated by NHS Southwest London Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
Providing mental health care for patients without physical health needs is outside the Trust’s commissioned remit.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Surrey and Borders Partnership provides local mental health services, while NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB commissions those services.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Individual trusts and local health systems are responsible for assessing and managing local psychiatric bed capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Surrey patients’ psychiatric beds are commissioned by Surrey Heartlands ICB from Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Stated by NHS Southwest London Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Individual trusts and local health systems are responsible for assessing and managing local psychiatric bed capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Gloucestershire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient psychiatric unit bed capacity
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Shift mental health treatment toward community and crisis services through new care and support models to reduce hospital admissions.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Implement measures improving bed-management structure and efficiency and reducing out-of-area placements.
Stated by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Continue reducing average inpatient length of stay to improve psychiatric bed availability and utilisation.
Stated by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Action
Engage with the local Integrated Care Board on improving local inpatient capacity and access.
Stated by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 21 May 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Local trusts, health systems and integrated care boards are responsible for assessing and managing capacity and reducing delays in mental health services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Commissioning and determining total psychiatric bed resources are responsibilities of the wider local and national health system.
Stated by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Lack of inpatient psychiatric beds causing unacceptable A&E waits for people awaiting mental health beds
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Commission and extend 14 additional independent-sector acute adult mental health beds to support winter pressures and capacity.
Stated by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Work with partners to improve timely discharge and support prompt admission for people awaiting mental health inpatient care.
Stated by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Measure response times for people presenting to urgent and emergency mental-health services to support faster access to appropriate care.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Monitor patients waiting more than 72 hours in emergency departments for mental-health placements and escalate cases nationally for executive intervention.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Provide trusts and systems with action cards to reduce emergency-department waiting times, including actions for people with complex learning disabilities and autism.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
SPFT manages Sussex’s inpatient mental health bed capacity and clinically prioritises patients according to need.
Stated by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes deficiencies in the availability, adequacy or geographic provision of psychiatric inpatient beds, including resulting admission delays and dedicated bed-allocation or patient-flow measures used to manage the shortage.
