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.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Lack of inpatient mental health beds causing unacceptable A&E waits
This report raised 7 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
Increase commissioned inpatient capacity by 27 acute beds, representing a net increase of 17 beds, by the end of March 2025.
Stated by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 December 2024.
Action
Develop a business case for further inpatient beds in 2025–26 to support timely access to 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 19 December 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Sussex has above-average acute mental-health bed provision nationally, challenging the premise that insufficient beds explain the concern.
Stated by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care BoardDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Flexibility within mental-health services is the Trust’s responsibility, while NHS Sussex retains overarching commissioning responsibility.
Stated by NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised2
Lack of inpatient mental health beds
Shortage of mental health beds suitable for Autistic patients and transgender patients requiring a mixed ward
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.4
Action
Commit £26 million in capital investment to open new mental health crisis centres.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 December 2024.
Action
Publish statutory guidance requiring coordinated, safe discharge from mental health, learning disability and autism inpatient settings.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 December 2024.
Action
Direct systems to reduce adult acute mental health ward length of stay and improve access to local inpatient beds.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2024.
Action
Provide £42 million recurrent investment for ICBs to recommission inpatient care in line with locally appropriate therapeutic models.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 December 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Local trusts and health systems are responsible for assessing and managing mental-health bed capacity and patient flow.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Local provider-level inpatient accommodation availability falls outside NHS England’s national policy and programme remit.
Stated by NHS EnglandOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
NHS Sussex ICB is the responsible commissioner for the relevant local services, with the Trust responsible for its action plan.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Suffolk
Concerns raised1
Lack of Mental Health Unit inpatient 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.1
Action
Publish statutory guidance on safe 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 19 December 2024.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of sufficient mental health 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
Publish statutory guidance supporting safe discharge from mental health and learning disability and autism inpatient settings.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 November 2024.
Action
Expand delivery of mental health care in community settings through new models of care and support.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 6 November 2024.
Action
Invest in new mental health inpatient units to address local bed shortages.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 November 2024.
Action
Provide recurrent funding to Integrated Care Boards to recommission inpatient care under locally appropriate therapeutic models.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 November 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
NHS England is responsible for addressing the reported concerns about mental health bed availability.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects 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 mental health bed capacity, patient flow and specialist rehabilitation availability.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Northamptonshire
Concerns raised2
Insufficient provision of acute mental health beds
Insufficient availability of out-of-area acute beds for elderly patients
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.1
Action
Continue working with the NHS to maximise mental health service capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2026.
Surrey
Concerns raised3
Unavailability of fully operational in-county psychiatric in-patient beds for children
Insufficient in-county psychiatric in-patient bed capacity for children
Inability of in-county psychiatric in-patient provision to treat children with eating disorders or needing psychiatric intensive care
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.1
Action
Open Emerald Place to provide additional general adolescent unit inpatient bed capacity in Surrey.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 October 2024.
Surrey
Concerns raised2
Detention of patients in general hospitals without a section while awaiting a mental health bed
Lack of mental health hospital beds for assessment, medical review and treatment
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 new mental health units and community, crisis, and acute services to improve access and reduce avoidable admissions.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 September 2024.
Action
Direct systems to reduce average adult acute mental health ward stays and improve timely access to local beds.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 September 2024.
Action
Provide recurrent funding to integrated care boards to recommission inpatient care in line with evidence-based therapeutic local models.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 September 2024.
Action
Embed Operational Pressures Escalation Level procedures, including daily bed-capacity meetings to manage demand and support people awaiting admission.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 September 2024.
Action
Undertake collaborative Mind and Body Transformation improvement work with acute-care partners to integrate physical and mental healthcare for people awaiting or receiving acute hospital care.
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 26 September 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Detention under the Mental Health Act in an acute hospital can occur only with the acute Trust’s agreement.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust is responsible for responding to concerns about medicalisation, observation, and inpatient mental health provision.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Responsibility for addressing the national shortage of mental health inpatient beds rests with the Secretary of State for Health.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England is considered the body most appropriately placed to address the national mental health inpatient bed shortage.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised2
National scarcity of specialist personality-disorder rehabilitation beds
Funding allocation failing to secure available specialist rehabilitation beds for identified patients
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.1
Action
Continue working with the NHS to maximise mental health service capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 June 2024.
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 bed capacity, patient flow and specialist rehabilitation-unit availability.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner West London
Concerns raised1
Inadequate mental health bed capacity in London
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.13
Action
Implement discharge-planning best practices, including the 100-day challenge, high-impact interventions and ward workflow improvements.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Conduct collaborative discharge and patient-flow work with local-authority partners through the Strategic Operational Interface Programme.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Strengthen the Bed Management Policy and implement real-time electronic bed-status and waiting-list management.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Embed a clinical prioritisation tool in acute-flow management to prioritise patient safety when allocating limited beds.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Commission additional private-sector acute mental-health beds from a local provider.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Commission stepdown hostel beds to support patient flow.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Invest in community and crisis-prevention services to help patients remain well and avoid acute admission.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Provide intensive support to acute ward teams to identify flow barriers and improve safe, timely discharge practices.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Transform the mental-health crisis offer by developing triage and rapid-access services for local emergency departments.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Review rehabilitation and supported-living settings with partners to improve access to onward care.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Work with healthcare providers to reduce care-pathway delays, shorten stays and minimise out-of-area placements.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Invest in commissioning additional private-sector mental-health beds to mitigate current bed pressures while longer-term patient-flow work continues.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Action
Deliver mental health care in the community through new models of care and support wherever possible.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 June 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Full resolution of London’s acute mental health bed shortage is constrained by rising demand and limitations in funding and resources.
Stated by NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and South West London and St George'S Mental Health NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Local mental health bed capacity and patient flow concerns are assigned to the relevant NHS Trust and Integrated Care Board.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide access to inpatient mental health beds at the time of clinical need
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
Invest £2.3 billion in mental health services, including approximately £1.3 billion for adult community, crisis and acute services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 May 2024.
Action
Make £1.6 billion available through the Better Care Fund to support mental health inpatient services and wider system capacity.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 31 May 2024.
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 31 May 2024.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
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.
