Will the NHS provide a hospital bed?

[Grannywatch]

My gran is in hospital and she needs a hospital bed for discharge.

I’ve tried getting hold of the hospital discharge team for the past 2 days with no avail. With everything going on we’re desperate to get her home ASAP.

I’ve found a hospital bed on eBay but before I desperately buy it does the NHS usually provide one if needed/how long does it take to be delivered? I’d have to scrimp to buy it but if that’s the difference for her getting home I’d do it.

Hi, the NHS did provide a hospital bed for my Nanna when she was unwell. This was arranged by the district nurses and occupational therapist along with the palliative care team at the hospital (aware that not every request for a bed is due to palliative care reasons!). If your gran doesn't have an occupational therapist assigned, push for a referral if needed , they are amazing at getting equipment fast, Including hospital beds.

The request was submitted on the Wednesday and we had a hospital bed by the Friday. Push for it, they definitely supply them in my area, and as far as I'm aware it's a national thing. If not, are there any organisations in the area that can help? also you can reach out to your local council who I believe can organise the delivery of one supplied by them.

I really hope you get your gran home, where she belongs really soon xx

No need to buy one,all equipment required will be delivered to her house and set up for you,bed,frame for toilet,walking frames and perhaps blocks to raise her chair.Your grandparent wont be discharged until this and her care package are in place.

The OT assessment will trigger equipment so all you need is the space, they need to be able to get at each side of the bed and it will need power, they are bigger than you think.
Good luck

Dont buy one on Ebay. If a patient needs a hospital bed then the staff would have carried out an assessment. These beds and mattresses need to be the right type for the patient depending on their weight, skin condition, mobility, continence issues. They are also extremely heavy and usually need 2 people to set them up properly.

Good point about incontinence Hammy if Gran can't safely access the bathroom they may issue a commode, also bulky and cumbersome. We stored ours on the bedroom while not in use, got rid of bedside table etc.

Please don't buy a second hand hospital bed on eBay or put yourself into debt to do so. Some things you can buy on eBay but isn't one I would do. A fancy 3 wheeled trolley for use outside yes (but not a used all the time frame as physio would measure for that) a fold up occasional wheelchair yes (unless specialist or daily use, again physio referral to nhs wheelchair service) but not a hospital bed.

You'd have to disinfect all the frame first as second hand will be harbourer of all things bodily, you won't know if person before had MRSA, double Incontinence, leaking wounds, and it might not work or be right size or type she needs. Please do not use a second hand mattress. And you'd have to wait for order of the right mattress as they are pretty specialist. See the cost is adding up already...

If she needs a hospital bed she will likely need equipment that goes with it that'll need to fit the right type of profile bed., maybe air mattress, bed lever, and she might need to wait anyway for standaid, rotunda or hoist?

All of which her OT will arrange and order for free for her for discharge. The teams are working hard to get people safely home as quickly as possible. Teams are working to cover 7 day service here.