Commenting in today’s The Herald [1], Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said,

“Earlier this week, the Scottish Government disputed our assertion that the number of beds had been cut in Scottish hospitals. This intervention was both misleading and ill-informed. The latest bed statistics published by ISD on 20 December 2013 show that during the period September 2011 – September 2013 the total number of beds across all acute specialties had been reduced by 404 and in acute medicine, where the pressures are greatest, by 105” [2].

Commenting on the methods used to calculate bed capacity levels in Scottish hospitals, Dr Dewhurst added,

“During times of pressure additional beds have been opened or found and then closed once the pressures have reduced. Bed capacity has then been presented as a total of the number of beds being used during these periods.  By recording the total number of beds in this manner this has served to present total bed capacity within an acceptable, and consistent, level over the year rather than accurately reflecting periods in which acute medical units and wards were well beyond capacity and other beds had to be found in other, less appropriate, wards for medically ill patients, such is in surgical or gynaecology wards. As a result, I believe that both the level of bed capacity and boarding in our hospitals have been under-reported”.

ENDS

Contact Graeme McAlister on 0131-247-3693 or 07733-263453

Notes to Editors

[1] http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/snp-claims-on-hospital-beds-misleading-says-top-doctor.23551225

[2] NHS Scotland, Quarterly Statistics, Inpatient Facilities by NHS Board and Specialty, ISD Scotland December 2013

No of beds (all acute specialties)

Sept. 2011 - 16558

Sept. 2013 - 16154

No of beds (Acute Medicine)

Sept. 2011 - 6629

Sept. 2013 - 6524