First reported 11 May 2016•Latest report 3 Nov 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes deficiencies in the availability or capacity of acute hospital facilities or beds that prevent or delay admission or treatment of patients requiring acute care.
Not included
Excludes critical-care, psychiatric, mental-health, detoxification or other specialist bed-capacity concerns unless the report explicitly concerns general acute hospital admission capacity.
Excludes failures limited to admission procedures, escalation or bed-management policies when acute capacity itself is not deficient.
Excludes delays in treatment or transfer after an appropriate acute hospital bed or facility is available.
Excludes generic hospital staffing or equipment shortages unless they directly leave acute admission patients without an available acute facility or bed.
Reports
8
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
10
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2016–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
49
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 Care6
NHS England2
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board2
Care Quality Commission1
Daughter of the deceased1
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership1
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Health Services Safety Investigations Body1
Hull Royal Infirmary1
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust1
Office of the Chief Coroner1
Powys Teaching Local Health Board1
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust1
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust1
Ministerial department6
Executive non-departmental public body3
Integrated care board2
NHS trust2
Coronial office1
Health and social care service regulator1
Healthcare site1
Health-system partnership1
Local health board1
Type not available1
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.
East Riding and Hull
Concerns raised1
Insufficient bed space in Queens Centre
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
Review demand modelling and future cancer and supportive-care capacity requirements with commissioners.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 November 2025.
Action
Model beds, review discharge processes, and work with community partners to improve specialist and acute bed flow.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 November 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The Trust cannot unilaterally increase permanent specialist bed capacity because commissioning, workforce, funding and estate constraints determine the available service capacity.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of acute hospital beds for patients needing acute care
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.15
Action
Establish an escalation pathway beyond the PTL meeting for delayed Mental Health Services discharges, bringing cases to GMMH senior leadership to support confirmation of hospital discharge dates.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Pursue system-wide reductions in clinically ready-for-discharge bed days and mental-health acute inpatient length of stay by March 2026.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Operate a senior system Multi Agency Discharge Event forum to improve clinically ready-for-discharge escalation.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Realign community support resources toward housing and forensic step-down.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Match patients actively to schemes within the new local provider framework.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Develop a consistent end-to-end brokerage and funding pathway with responsibilities, stage time standards and a protocol for external-provider delays.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Fund and recruit additional patient-flow capacity and gatekeeping roles covering admissions, weekends and out-of-hours periods.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Provide additional voluntary, community and social-enterprise capacity in Manchester to prevent avoidable admissions and support timely discharge.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Review support-accommodation barriers in Bury and share the resulting learning system-wide.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Review community-based alternatives to admission across Greater Manchester.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Embed the Home First model across localities.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Roll out system-wide a four-level escalation policy for clinically ready-for-discharge mental-health patients by quarter three.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Conduct a joint internal review of the patient journey through a GMMH learning multidisciplinary meeting with partner agencies.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
Action
Establish a full-time Operational Manager for Community Flow to oversee early discharge planning, identify barriers, track actions, and coordinate senior communication with MFT.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 May 2025.
North East Kent
Concerns raised2
Delays in emergency treatment caused by unavailable inpatient beds
Failure to free hospital beds occupied by patients medically fit for discharge
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.10
Action
Increase same-day emergency care so more patients are seen, treated and discharged within one day.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Increase the proportion of patients discharged by or on day seven of admission.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Develop local NHS and social-care partnerships to reduce delayed discharges and patients waiting to leave hospital.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Continue operating-model work with regions to support providers in reducing Emergency Department crowding.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Issue operational planning guidance requiring systems to improve patient flow through alternative urgent and emergency care services.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Strengthen use of Discharge Ready Date and Reason for Discharge Delay data to identify and reduce discharge delays.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Work with local areas and health, social care and local-government partners to maximise discharge-funding impact and improve timely patient discharge.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Collect daily data on patients experiencing long Emergency Department waits and track actions to support appropriate accommodation and patient-safety review.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Collect weekly data on patients waiting over 100 days for discharge and use system leadership, coordination calls and regional engagement to enable appropriate discharge.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Action
Reform the Better Care Fund so pooled NHS and local-authority funding supports reducing emergency admissions, delayed discharges and care-home admissions.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 February 2025.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of acute beds causing delays in allocating beds to patients requiring admission
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.1
Action
Continue reviewing discharge processes, alternatives to hospital admission, and patient-flow pathways across Greater Manchester hospitals.
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 September 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient hospital bed capacity
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
Deliver 5,000 additional staffed, permanent hospital beds to increase capacity and improve patient flow.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Action
Make £1.6 billion available over two years to support timely hospital discharge and free beds.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2023.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of acute hospital 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.10
Action
Continue rolling out Urgent Treatment Centres to provide a consistent urgent-care service.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Continue Same Day Emergency Care initiatives to reduce non-elective hospital admissions.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Maintain Nightingale Hospitals, their surge capacity and NHS use of independent-sector hospital capacity.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Expand NHS 111 to provide urgent-care advice and direct patients to appropriate services more quickly.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Implement agreed principles requiring direct specialty acceptance, specialty assessment of stable patients, and expanded Same Day Emergency Care across Greater Manchester.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Implement NHS 111 First so patients are directed to call 111 before attending an Emergency Department.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Implement pre-Emergency Department triage and streaming to direct patients to the most appropriate service.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Adopt and implement Greater Manchester Discharge to Assess guidance, including standard referral, rapid triage, discharge medication, testing, PPE and next-day follow-up processes.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Create additional community discharge capacity, including reablement support, domiciliary care and community beds.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Action
Review community-based capacity to ensure discharge pathways have the correct types of capacity.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 November 2020.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Lack of hospital bed availability delaying patient admission
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
Develop a £31 million capital scheme expanding the emergency floor, Urgent Care Centre, Emergency Department GP input and ambulatory emergency care at Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Review service provision at Princess Royal Hospital to relieve pressure on Royal Sussex County Hospital bed capacity.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Implement the SAFER care bundle to improve patient flow and support earlier discharge.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Expand Newhaven Downs Community Hospital to create additional discharge capacity.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Action
Extend the Hospital at Home scheme to provide additional nursing and medical support after discharge.
Stated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing system-partner arrangements are considered sufficient to prioritise the problem and sustain improvement, although the problem is not yet resolved.
Stated by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Lack of an acute treatment facility for acute admission patients in Powys
Lack of an acute treatment facility for acutely unwell patients in Powys
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.4
Action
Maintain a fully functioning Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team providing acute hospital-level care at home.
Stated by Powys Teaching Local Health BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 May 2016.
Action
Continue repatriating adult mental health services to direct delivery by Powys Teaching Health Board.
Stated by Powys Teaching Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 May 2016.
Action
Explore every available in-county treatment option before arranging out-of-county admission.
Stated by Powys Teaching Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 11 May 2016.
Action
Facilitate a meeting of all health board mental health managers to discuss using Welsh NHS beds when local beds are unavailable, considering proximity to patients’ homes.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 11 May 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Acute adult mental health provision already exists within Powys, contrary to the concern that no acute facility is available.
Stated by Powys Teaching Local Health BoardDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Powys is responsible for commissioning mental health services for its rural, dispersed population, including local and neighbouring-provider beds.
Stated by Welsh GovernmentRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes deficiencies in the availability or capacity of acute hospital facilities or beds that prevent or delay admission or treatment of patients requiring acute care.
