Seven days in medicine: 24 February to 2 March 2021

Abstract

Health leader calls for review of England's ICU bed capacity Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents trust leaders, called for a review of critical care capacity in England, saying that it was "neither safe nor sensible to rely on NHS hospital trusts being able to double or triple their capacity at the drop of a hat as they've had to over the last two months." The UK has 7.3 critical care beds per 100 000 people, whereas Germany has 33.8 and the US 34.3. The review must look at the distribution of beds, proximity to patients, and a need to concentrate expertise, Hopson said.