NHS faces familiar bed shortages this winter, sparking potential virtual health shift

The availability of hospital beds is one of the greatest challenges for the NHS. Could a move to virtual doctor appointments be the solution?

4 minute read

As winter is looming the NHS is facing a familiar challenge - a shortage of beds. The latest figures show hospital bed occupancy is at its second-highest level recorded this winter, with 19 out of 20 beds being occupied. This means there may be an impact on the average patient's healthcare experience during the winter months.

Right now, the question is whether or not it's time to switch over to virtual doctors in the face of limited resources?

Why are resources limited?

The lack of resources comes down to a multitude of shortcomings; budget cuts and poor government funding, a number of recent healthcare strikes, and a general lack of key staff across the NHS.

Over the winter months, the healthcare system expects to see an increase in patients due to the increase in cases of cold, flu, and COVID-19. To help with resourcing the NHS appealed for an extra £1 billion but, unfortunately, it was rejected by the Treasury.

The Bed Crunch: What it means for patients

There is nothing new about NHS bed shortages during winter, we’ve all heard it before. The average patient is likely to experience longer waiting times and delays in their treatment as hospitals across the UK struggle to accommodate an increase in patients.

The overall strain on the NHS adds to the backlog of appointments, not only affecting emergency care but also routine procedures, adding stress on an already overburdened system.

Fewer doctors and less beds – is the solution virtual?

With fewer physical beds being available, coupled with fewer doctors, the concept of virtual doctors is being explored as a possible alternative.

Virtual consultations with doctors are known as Telemedicine, and could help to alleviate some pressure from the healthcare system. It may even benefit patients who can take consultation calls from their homes instead of physically traveling to the clinic (which may be difficult for those with mobility issues). The downside to this is that they would not be physically examined which at times helps with diagnosis or treatment recommendations.

Telemedicine solutions in the form of virtual doctors in the UK are ideal for non-emergency consultations such as regular check-ups, and prescription refills. They would help to free up resources from the healthcare system and availability in doctors’ schedules. However, virtual doctor appointments would not be suitable for those who would require physical examinations.

Is the UK government doing anything to help?

Helping the NHS with its bed shortage issue is a complex task. The UK government has increased funding for the NHS, additional recruitment drives to attract more healthcare workers, and tried to streamline patient flow across the hospital system.

This has helped, but it has not solved the problem and it is unlikely to go away overnight. Some of the strain has been lifted from the healthcare system, however, there is still a shortage of beds that needs innovative solutions. The goal is to open 10,000 virtual hospital beds.

The future of healthcare: A Balance of Tradition and Innovation

The discussion of dependence on virtual doctors is a nuanced one. Many people have trust in the traditional healthcare system of in-person appointments which is crucial for emergency situations.

However, adding virtual consultations to the healthcare system could be a strategic move to help minimise resources in periods of heightened patient demand. With winter healthcare challenges just around the corner, it is a good time to explore the balance between traditional and innovative healthcare options.

An adaptable combination of both of these is most likely to lead to a more resilient healthcare system.