RESEARCH suggests that 340 additional hospital beds are needed in the South West to deal with winter pressures.

New analysis by the British Medical Association (BMA), suggests the UK’s hospital emergency care departments are on course for their worst winter on record and that up to 340 additional hospital beds will be needed across the region for patients to be cared for safely.

Dr Rob Harwood, BMA consultant committee chair, said: “The NHS is facing an all year crisis that is leaving patients in an intolerable situation.

“This winter could be the worst on record for frontline emergency care departments, with a BMA analysis suggesting hundreds of thousands of patients across the UK will be left either waiting to see a doctor for an assessment or stranded in cramped corridors on a hospital trolley waiting for a hospital bed to become available.

“A key part of this problem is the lack of available beds within the NHS system.

"Last winter saw incredibly high levels of bed occupancy, well above recommended limits, and despite thousands of escalation beds being put into action temporarily.

“At this level patients will struggle to get the attention and care they need. The uncertainty being caused by Brexit, especially the future of thousands of EU doctors working in the NHS, is only exacerbating concerns about the level of care the NHS can deliver.

“While there is a commitment for the NHS Ten Year plan funding to come on stream next April, there is also pressing need to tackle shortages in hospital capacity and improve care for patients that are suffering in the community."