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.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Lack of inpatient mental health beds
This report raised 5 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
Support faster hospital discharge to reduce bed occupancy and A&E waiting times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Provide funding to support adult social care and NHS discharges, including from mental health inpatient settings.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Develop and publish statutory guidance for discharge from mental health inpatient settings.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Expand adult community mental health services to support patients in the community and reduce reliance on inpatient treatment.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Action
Commission additional mental health beds to improve flow through bedded capacity and support step-down and return from out-of-area placements.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 16 January 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Commissioning and operating psychiatric decisions units falls outside the police force’s functions and authority.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Responsibility for psychiatric decisions unit beds and spaces rests with the named health bodies and Secretary of State for Health.
Stated by West Midlands PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The Mental Health Provider Collaborative is responsible for designing and delivering services and leading strategic cases for additional mental health bed capacity.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester North
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of beds for informal admissions to older adults mental health wards
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.2
Action
Share the Regulation 28 report and response with Greater Manchester mental health commissioners.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 October 2022.
Action
Undertake a review of older adult inpatient provision.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 October 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Mental health commissioners are assigned responsibility for reviewing older adult inpatient provision.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of mental health inpatient bed capacity causing delays in access to mental health beds
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.5
Action
Invest in mental-health estate improvements, including non-medical admission alternatives, step-down beds and supported living services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Replace mental-health dormitory beds with single, en-suite rooms across more than 50 sites by 2024/25.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Fund safe and appropriate discharge from mental-health inpatient units.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Expand community mental-health services to improve support for people with serious mental illnesses and manage bed pressures.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Action
Publish and fund the Mental Health Recovery Action Plan to expand services, reduce waiting times and strengthen the NHS workforce.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2022.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The root cause analysis did not find that a shortage of beds contributed to Ms Medcalf’s death.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of mental health inpatient provision for people aged 14-25
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
A single 14–25 inpatient ward is not recommended because developmental differences and safeguarding risks could place vulnerable young people at risk.
Stated by NHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of mental health beds
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.2
Action
Invest an additional £500 million in 2021/22 to support mental-health service recovery, including expanded community, crisis and discharge-support services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 May 2021.
Action
Invest significantly in community and crisis services to provide a holistic offer and manage demand for mental-health beds.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 May 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local NHS commissioners determine mental health bed provision based on local need and the effectiveness of community care.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient local mental health inpatient bed capacity
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.3
Action
Work with local systems to eliminate inappropriate adult out-of-area mental health placements as soon as reasonably possible, with revised local targets where necessary.
Stated by Nadine Dorries MPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 15 February 2021.
Action
Use £87 million to support good-quality discharge from mental health facilities.
Stated by Nadine Dorries MPStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 15 February 2021.
Action
Mobilise the Delayed Transfer of Care programme, including 36 schemes funded to reduce bed blockage and out-of-area placements.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 February 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
COVID-19 capacity pressures prevent eliminating all out-of-area placements by April 2021; systems must set local targets and eliminate them as soon as reasonably possible.
Stated by Nadine Dorries MPUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Suffolk
Concerns raised2
Insufficient provision to temporarily house patients awaiting informal admission
Insufficient bed capacity for patients seeking informal admission
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
End reliance on adult acute out-of-area placements by April 2021.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 December 2020.
Action
Provide national and regional improvement support to services reducing out-of-area placements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 December 2020.
Action
Provide £50 million of strengthened post-discharge mental health support during the winter COVID-19 pressures.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 December 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Urgent mental-health admission does not require detention under the Mental Health Act to access a bed quickly.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of local inpatient mental health provision for people with autism
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.1
Action
Give local service providers greater budgetary control for people receiving or at risk of inpatient care.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 May 2019.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised2
Failure to provide section 140 beds
Chronic shortage of psychiatric beds
This report raised 8 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
Implement local arrangements delegating access management for Section 140 emergency beds.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 October 2019.
Action
Develop a crisis pathway to increase capacity in secondary mental health crisis services.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 October 2019.
Action
Pool resources to provide a crisis house as an alternative to psychiatric inpatient admission.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 18 October 2019.
Action
Review internal care pathways to maximise capacity in teams meeting patient demand.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 October 2019.
Action
Pilot the Red to Green initiative to improve inpatient flow and reduce length of stay.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 October 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Management of access to emergency Section 140 beds is delegated to BSMHFT and BWCT under local arrangements.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Delegated local arrangements provide flexible access to emergency beds and are considered to address Section 140 provision adequately.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham City Council and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and West Midlands PoliceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of inpatient beds for people assessed and fit for detention
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.2
Action
Work with system partners to understand increased crisis-service demand and improve use of existing mental health resources.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 November 2019.
Action
Continue monitoring pressures on mental health services and developing initiatives to manage patient flow and improve services.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 November 2019.
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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.
