Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Increase NHS psychiatric beds to reduce waits and unsafe placements
Open for signatures
142 signatures
What the petition asks
Increase funding for NHS psychiatric inpatient beds across England. Long waits and bed shortages mean some detained patients are placed in general wards, creating safety risks and blocking beds for physical health care. Capacity needs to be expanded to ensure timely, appropriate treatment.
Delays in accessing psychiatric beds leave vulnerable patients without appropriate specialist care. General hospital wards are not secure or designed for acute mental health crises. Patients experiencing severe psychosis or mania can abscond or be at risk of serious harm. This creates significant safety concerns, places additional strain on staff and blocks beds needed for physical health care.
Timeline
| 31 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
142
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
31 Mar 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.