Hospital Bed Hire: Pros, Cons & What's Right for You

If you or a loved one has just left or is about to leave the hospital, you'll want to do everything you can to ensure a comfortable return home.

As doctors, nurses and loved ones will tell you, getting enough rest is an important part of recovering and regaining your strength.

One way to do this is by getting one of those high-quality hospital beds, but they can be quite expensive, especially if you only need one for the short term.

Luckily, there is an option to rent hospital beds and mattresses. This allows you to receive all of the benefits and only pay for as long as you need them.

If you're recovering yourself or caring for someone else, researching how to rent a hospital bed might not be a top priority. So, we've done it all for you.

In this guide, we explore how to rent a hospital bed, including where you can get one, how much it's likely to cost, and whether you'll be eligible for VAT relief when hiring.

Quick look: What are the pros and cons of hiring a hospital bed?

Hiring a hospital bed can be flexible and cost-effective, especially when care needs are temporary or uncertain. But as with any care decision, it’s worth weighing both the benefits and the limitations.

How do you rent a hospital bed in the UK?

There are several ways to rent a hospital bed in the UK, including:

• Through your local council – Contact your local authority to see if they can provide a mobility mattress. Not sure who to get in touch with? Find your local council here.

• Apply to the NHS or Social Services – The NHS trust or local arm of Social Services may stock medical beds for hire. However, you may have to join a waiting list until one becomes available.

• Via a charity – Some charities, like Medigive, exist to help people get the medical equipment they need.

• From a private company – Hiring from a private company is an option; however, this may be more expensive than the other bodies we've mentioned.

Before hiring a hospital bed from a private supplier, speak with your local council, Social Services, or hospital discharge team to see if they can provide one.

Even if they don't stock beds for you to use, these bodies could help you to rent one. They may even look after the delivery, installation and collection of the bed free of charge.

The general process for hiring a hospital bed is:

Assessing the need

Before leaving the hospital, you should speak to a doctor, nurse, or occupational therapist to see if you need a bed and which one might be best, such as a profiling bed, bariatric bed, or rotating chair bed.

Finding where to get a bed

If your local GP surgery or hospital doesn't have a bed to hire, they could still help you find one, i.e. by pointing you in the direction of your local council, Social Services or a specialist hiring company.

Contacting and requesting a quote

Depending on your chosen route, you may have to request a quote via an online form or phone call. If this is the case, you'll typically have to provide information like your home address, how long you need the bed, and any accessories you need, like side rails.

Reviewing terms and pricing

It's important to note that a minimum rental charge or hire period may apply, and long-term rental costs may be cheaper than short-term ones.

Depending on the supplier, you may also have to pay other costs, such as servicing, breakdown cover, delivery, installation, and collection, so make sure you consider these, too.

Delivery and installation

Most providers offer next-day or even same-day delivery to ensure you can use the hospital bed as soon as possible.

When it's delivered, technicians will assemble the bed and any accessories, install it, and make sure everything works properly. They'll also give you a demonstration so you can safely use the bed and access its functions.

Extending or ending the hire

Towards the end of the hire agreement, you'll have two choices: to extend the loan period or return the bed.

If you decide to hire the bed for longer, you'll need to arrange this with the provider; however, it's usually a simple process – you'll just have to continue with the ongoing monthly rental payments.

When you no longer need the bed, the rental company will come and collect it at a suitable time.

How much does it cost to hire a hospital bed?

The cost of hiring a hospital bed depends on several factors, including the type of bed you want to hire, how long you want to hire it, and whether you need additional equipment, like grab rails or air mattresses, which reduce the risk of developing pressure sores.

Some providers offer hospital bed hire from less than £25 per week, but this would be a long-term rental (e.g. 3 months) for a bed without accessories.

Usually, you can expect to spend anywhere from £50-£100 per week to hire a hospital bed; however, for some bariatric or top-of-the-range beds, you may be expected to pay more than £100 per week, depending on the duration and accessories.

When you're shopping around for prices, you need to know that some hire companies have a flat weekly rate, while others work on a sliding scale (e.g. after 4 weeks of hire, the weekly charge reduces slightly). You may also be subject to a minimum hire period, often 2 weeks or a month.

Can you get VAT relief on a rented hospital bed?

Yes – according to the 'Get VAT relief on certain goods if you have a disability' page from HM Revenue & Customs, "you can hire or lease eligible goods VAT-free if you’re disabled."

Eligible goods include specialist beds, chair and stair lifts, rise and recline chairs, other lifting equipment, and sanitary devices.

The page clarifies that you won't have to pay VAT if you're buying:

• An electrically or mechanically adjustable bed – adjustable beds are only eligible for VAT relief if they stand out as specialised for disabled people. As well as being adjustable, qualifying beds will have other specific design features that distinguish it from an ordinary bed.

• Riser recliner chairs designed to help you move from a seated position to a standing position and vice versa. Riser recliners without a lifting facility do not qualify for VAT relief.

When should you consider hiring a hospital bed?

If you or your loved one is recovering from surgery, managing a long-term health condition, or experiencing limited mobility, hiring a hospital bed can make everyday life significantly more comfortable and safe. 

You don’t need to wait until things become difficult - sometimes, having the right support early on can prevent issues from getting worse.

Many people hire a hospital bed when they need temporary support at home. This might be after an operation, a fall, or during rehabilitation. Adjusting the bed's position at the touch of a button can ease pain, help with circulation, and make resting or sitting up much easier.

You might also consider hiring a hospital bed if a family member is nearing the end of life and wishes to stay in the comfort of their own home. In these instances, hiring a profiling bed can offer dignity, ease of care, and peace of mind for everyone involved.

If you're caring for someone, a hospital bed can reduce physical strain for you, too. Raising or lowering the bed to a comfortable height can make washing, dressing, or repositioning much safer and less tiring.

Hiring gives you access to high-quality equipment without a long-term commitment. It's a flexible option that lets you respond to changing health needs, whether that’s for a few weeks or several months.

In addition to at-home use, hospital beds can be hired in several short-term circumstances - these include:

• Temporary accommodation – When a disabled or elderly person is in temporary accommodation (e.g., a relative's or friend's house), it may be easier to hire equipment rather than move existing equipment from their home.

• Holidays – A big concern for patients who want to go on holiday can be the lack of supportive equipment. Your hire company will need to be able to install it in static caravans and holiday homes.

• Hotel stays – Hotels often hire care beds for elderly and disabled guests. They sometimes add the total hire charge to the guest's bill.

What types of hospital beds and equipment can you hire?

The equipment you can hire will vary based on the supplier you choose, but you can expect to find:

Adjustable beds

• Profiling beds

• Bariatric beds

• Hospital beds

Mattresses

• Foam mattresses

• Air mattresses

Accessories

• Over-bed tables

• Bed grab rails

• Bed bumpers 

Is it best to buy or rent a hospital bed?

Deciding whether to rent or buy a hospital bed will depend on your personal needs, how long the bed is likely to be used for, and your available budget.

Both options offer valuable benefits, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. To help you choose what’s right for your situation, we’ve outlined below when it might be more suitable to rent a hospital bed, and when it may be better to buy one outright.

When is it best to rent a hospital bed?

Hiring a hospital bed is often the most practical choice when the need is temporary or uncertain. You may want to rent a bed if:

• You or your loved one is recovering from surgery or an injury.

• The bed is only needed for a short-term illness or condition.

• You want to try out a specific type of bed or mattress before committing to a purchase.

• You’re not sure how long the equipment will be needed and prefer to keep things flexible.

Renting allows you to access safe, professional-grade equipment quickly without the upfront expense of purchasing. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that the equipment can be returned once it’s no longer needed - ideal if space in your home is limited.

When is it best to buy a hospital bed?

Purchasing a hospital bed is often the better choice if it’s going to be needed for the long term or if your loved one has ongoing or progressive care needs. Buying may be more suitable for:

• Managing a chronic condition such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or advanced arthritis.

• Supporting someone with limited mobility or a permanent disability.

• Long-term care for age-related conditions that affect movement and independence.

• Providing comfort and dignity during end-of-life or palliative care at home.

While buying a bed involves a larger initial cost, it often becomes more cost-effective over time, especially if the bed will be used for several months or years.

Owning the bed also means you can:

• Avoid ongoing rental fees.

• Customise or accessorise the bed to suit changing needs.

• Have the reassurance of knowing it’s always available, without the pressure of return deadlines.

Many people also find that buying a bed gives them a greater sense of control and continuity - two important factors when managing complex or long-term health conditions at home.

Thinking of buying a hospital bed? Choose Opera

When it comes to choosing between buying and renting a hospital bed, buying may be the better long-term option, especially if you're eligible for VAT relief.

For more information on buying a hospital bed, contact our friendly and dedicated team. Our product experts can help you choose the right bed to match medical conditions, budgets and personal preferences.

Check out the Opera Beds blog for our guide to finding the right adjustable bed. It offers tips on choosing the best one for you, as well as a list of the top features to look for in an adjustable bed.