Freedom of Information Request: 0610

In regards to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. What is the average hourly cost of a single bed space. To specify, if a bedspace was unoccupied for 60 minutes when that same space could be occupied by a patient, what financial effect results in regards to the trusts finances.

The average cost per bed day is £133 (this is an internal cost only covering the estimated pay (not including medical costs due to variation in requirements), and non-pay of average medical ward bed. This does not include any Trust overheads to reflect buildings, energy costs or the cost of support services)

This gives an hourly cost of £5.54.

There would be no loss if the bed was empty for 60 minutes, as the ward would be staffed as normal.