NHS hospitals lose 32,000 beds in a decade

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/2022572/NHS-hospitals-lose-32%2C000-beds-in-a-decade.html ^

[newbie2008]

The cutbacks mean increasing numbers of hospitals are going on "black alert" – which involves closing their doors to new patients because they are full.

Patients' groups described the loss of the beds, at a time when overcrowded wards have seen soaring rates of killer infections, as "a national scandal".

The reduction contradicts a pledge from Tony Blair at the turn of the century that there would be 7,000 more NHS beds by 2010. New figures, seen by The Telegraph, show that the number of health service beds fell more than 8,000 last year, as the NHS began a reorganisation process which will mean the closure of dozens of hospitals.

[kittymyrib]

Welcome to Hillary Care. Oh well, it may cut down on the Social Security expense because people won’t live so long.

[FormerACLUmember]

32,000 filthy, antiquated, obsolete, MRSA infected beds lost is a GOOD THING!

[Fox_Mulder77]

Look People!........... They’d have enough beds if they stop treating old people, obese people, and smokers. It’s that simple!! Why can’t they figure that out?!?

[okie01]

They’d have enough beds if they stop treating old people, obese people, and smokers. It’s that simple!! Why can’t they figure that out?!?

They will. Sooner, rather than later.

[Fox_Mulder77]

They will. Sooner, rather than later.

I'd laugh if it weren't so true. Sad.

[KarlInOhio]

How much is from NHS getting cheap and providing unsatisfactory service, and how much is from a greater use of outpatient and short stay procedures? If you have a surgery now which is outpatient or a one night stay compared to a similar operation which would have left you in the hospital for a week, that will eliminate the need for hospital beds. Think of gall bladder removal now via a few one inch cuts vs. splitting you from one side to the other a decade ago.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

bookmark

[Southerngl]

I don’t know whether to smack you or laugh at the sarcasm.

[Mark]

"black alert" – which involves closing their doors to new patients

That just sounds racist!

[Fox_Mulder77]

ROTFLOL!!!

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The cost of getting a “real” conservative into the White House in 2012 or 2016. Just remember, once it’s here, it’s here to stay.

[Southerngl]

I like you Mr. Fox Mulder. Like your screen name too!

[JSteff]

“32,000 filthy, antiquated, obsolete, MRSA infected beds lost is a GOOD THING”

Not those beds specifically, BED SPACE.

[JSteff]

“Think of gall bladder removal now via a few one inch cuts”

I had one of those and still had to be in the hospital for 3 days. My gall bladder had fused to my liver.

Still have problems now.

[JSteff]

Well spoken.

[BunnySlippers]

Bookmarking.