title: Bed numbers. Inadmissible evidence.
abstract: Little research has been done on the number of intensive care beds the UK needs, and provision varies widely across the country. There is no indication of systematic under-provision of intensive care unit beds in the UK. There is confusion about appropriate referrals and admissions. Research suggests that with the current number of beds there are 2,100-2,500 avoidable deaths a year. But it is unclear how many of these would be avoided by providing extra beds.
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Public Health Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
mesh_terms: D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom