UK Government Blocked NHS Request for 10,000 Additional Beds During COVID-19

The refusal to fund extra beds in 2020 contributed to the current NHS backlog, according to testimony at the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.

The NHS's request for 10,000 permanent hospital beds in July 2020 was denied by the Treasury and No. 10, aiming to cope with the first wave's aftermath and future surges.
NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard expressed disappointment, stating that the additional capacity could have significantly reduced the backlog of pre-planned care.
As of August 2024, the NHS has a record backlog of 7.64 million treatments, highlighting the long-term impact of the decision.
The inquiry revealed that the UK's hospital bed capacity was lower than many comparable countries at the pandemic's onset.
Temporary Nightingale hospitals, costing over £358 million, were underutilized, raising questions about resource allocation during the crisis.