CAMPAIGNERS demanded the government invest in NHS mental health beds yesterday after new analysis revealed that more than a quarter are outsourced.

NHS trusts reported almost 18,000 available mental health inpatient beds in England between January and March 2025, according to the King’s Fund.

However, its analysis found that in March, an additional 7,195 beds were available in the independent sector for NHS use.

Added together, that means well over a quarter (29 per cent) of all NHS-funded bed capacity is being outsourced, the think tank suggests.

Siva Anandaciva, director of policy at the King’s Fund, warned: “Far beyond acting as valuable surge capacity, the NHS has become reliant on the independent sector for delivery of routine mental healthcare.

“This exposes the health service to greater risk of higher costs, could leave patients facing longer stays in hospital, and means the public has less transparent data about the quality of services.”

The think tank found that the NHS is increasingly relying on the independent sector to care for patients with complex needs such as those with learning disabilities, autism and personality disorders.

Dr Tony O’Sullivan, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said: “In 2010, there were 26,000 NHS mental health and learning disability beds. These have been slashed by over 6,000. 

“With rising need, they had to be replaced, but past governments have chosen to pay the private sector for use of 7,000 beds, despite great cost to NHS funding and to patient safety.

“Why should companies make multi-millions of profits from mental health distress and at the expense of the NHS and delivering care sometimes hundreds of miles from home? 

“This travesty should be replaced by investment in NHS beds and importantly NHS community mental health services able to care safely for mentally ill people.”

An NHS England spokesperson said staff are working hard to manage record demand with the roll-out of 24/7 mental health centres and additional support in schools.

They said: “We are also supporting health systems to develop plans to ensure mental health patients receive quality care close to home if they require an admission to hospital.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are expanding NHS capacity so more people can get mental health treatment closer to home - investing £75 million to cut unacceptable out-of-area placements and £750 million to urgently improve safety. 

“We will continue to work with the independent sector to slash mental health waiting lists and give patients more choice and control over their care, while ensuring it is delivered at the best value for the taxpayer.