Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Commit to requisitioning private hospital beds amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Closed
230 signatures
What the petition asks
Ministers should use their emergency powers to guarantee our NHS staff will have access to beds in privately-run hospitals and facilities; should NHS capacity be exhausted amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic could push our NHS to breaking point, especially if tactics such as striving to achieve 'herd immunity' are pursued.
Some medical professionals have sent clear warnings that there could be an enormous shortfall in the number of critical care beds that are projected to be required.
Meanwhile, there may be as many as 8,000 beds in nearly 600 private hospitals. The government should commit to requisitionining these and turning them into intensive care units.
Some medical professionals have sent clear warnings that there could be an enormous shortfall in the number of critical care beds that are projected to be required.
Meanwhile, there may be as many as 8,000 beds in nearly 600 private hospitals. The government should commit to requisitionining these and turning them into intensive care units.
Timeline
| 18 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 18 Sep 2020 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
230
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
18 Mar 2020
Closed
18 Sep 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.