Coming Out of Hospital? How to Get a Bed for Home

Are you or a loved one due to come out of hospital soon? You may have been advised that a hospital bed or electric bed is needed at home before discharge. The process of arranging this can feel overwhelming, so we’ve created this guide to help.

If you need further advice, our team is here to assist — contact us today for support.

If purchasing a bed isn’t an option, you may be eligible for a free or funded bed through the NHS or local council. Here’s how it works.

How to Get a Hospital Bed for Free

NHS Criteria for a Hospital Bed at Home

The NHS, your hospital, or local council may provide a hospital-style bed if:

• The patient has a clinical need (e.g., mobility issues, recovery from surgery).

• A healthcare professional (OT, GP, or discharge team) recommends it.

• The bed is for short-term use (long-term cases may require self-funding).

How to apply:

1. Speak to your occupational therapist, district nurse, or hospital discharge team.

2. If eligible, they’ll arrange delivery and installation — free of charge.

Note: Waiting times can be lengthy due to high demand, so this option may not suit urgent cases.

Temporary Hospital Bed Hire

For short-term needs, hiring a bed privately is an option. This works well for:

• Post-surgery recovery (weeks/months).

• Respite care (e.g., a relative staying elsewhere temporarily).

• Holidays (some hotels allow hired medical equipment).

Downside: Long-term hire costs can add up so purchasing may be cheaper over time.

Other considerations of renting a hospital bed

Renting vs. NHS Hospital Beds: Key Considerations

Short-term options:

• NHS loans: Free beds for temporary use may be available through NHS trusts (includes installation) - apply through your discharge team or council

• Private hire: Flexible but costly long-term - compare rental vs purchase costs

Important notes:

1. NHS beds involve waiting times (may delay discharge)

2. Provided equipment is often basic and temporary

3. For long-term needs, purchasing is usually more economical

Buying a Hospital Bed For Home 

If you need a hospital bed quickly or for long-term care, purchasing one gives you greater control, comfort, and convenience compared to waiting for NHS provision. While the initial cost may seem high, investing in your own bed offers long-term savings and superior quality — with options to suit every budget. For more information, read our helpful cost guide. 

Why Buying a Hospital Bed May Be the Better Option

Fast Delivery & Availability

• Avoid NHS waiting times—our beds can be delivered in as little as 24 hours 

• Ideal for quick hospital discharges when time is critical.

Stylish, Non-Clinical Design

• NHS-provided beds are often functional but institutional-looking, whereas our range includes discreet, home-friendly designs that blend seamlessly into your bedroom.

• Choose from wooden finishes, upholstered headboards, and fabric options for a bed that provides care without compromise. 

Superior Comfort & Customisation

• Personalise features like adjustable height, profiling positions and more for optimal comfort.

• Wider options available (e.g., 3ft 6 wide single or bariatric beds) for enhanced support.

Long-Term Cost Efficiency

• Renting long-term? Purchasing often works out cheaper within months.

• Avoid recurring hire fees by owning your bed outright with no ongoing costs.

No Restrictions on Usage

• NHS loans may require returning the bed after recovery. Ownership means flexibility and future-proofing your care needs at home. 

Hassle Free Installation, Aftercare & Support

•  We provide a home installation service across the UK. Our highly trained Opera engineers will install your new bed in the room of choice, give a full handover demonstration and remove all packaging. 
  

• Benefit from warranties, servicing, and expert advice from our team, who are rated 'excellent' on Trustpilot

• Need further support? Our in-house product support team are happy to help. From over the phone troubleshooting to arranging engineer visits, our team offers fantastic aftercare and support. 
  

Video: How Opera can help you get a hospital bed for home

How to Choose the Right Hospital Bed for Home

Selecting a hospital bed isn’t just about functionality, it’s about matching the bed’s features to the patient’s specific condition and care requirements. At Opera Beds, we design our beds to address distinct needs, whether for recovery, mobility support, or long-term care. Here’s what to prioritise:

If you'd prefer to be guided through by our expert team, get in touch today.

1. What Type of Hospital Bed Do You Need?

The main thing to consider before buying a hospital bed is what it's needed for, in relation to the illness the patient has. For example, some hospital beds can go up and down to help to get in and out of bed. Hospital beds with extensive height ranges can be raised to the carers waist level, which is a great feature for those who have home-visit carers.

At Opera Beds, we have a wide range of hospital beds for home with different height adjustment: 

Height-Adjustable Beds for Carer Support

• Why it matters: Beds that raise to waist level (like our Classic Beds) reduce strain on carers during transfers or on-bed care.

• Ideal for: Post-surgery recovery, patients needing frequent carer assistance.

Ultra-Low Floor Beds for Fall Prevention

• Why it matters: Beds that lower to just 11cm (like our Solo Collection) minimise injury risk for dementia patients or those prone to falls.

• Ideal for: Dementia care, Parkinson’s, or limited mobility.

Fully Adjustable Profiling Beds for Advanced Needs

• Why it matters: Electric profiling beds (like our Signature Collection) offer head/leg adjustments to improve comfort, circulation, and pressure relief.

• Ideal for: Long-term conditions (e.g., MS, MND), limited mobility, progressive care conditions

Still Unsure Which Bed You Need?

Our Bed Selector Tool matches you with the perfect bed in minutes - just answer a few questions about your care needs and get instant recommendations. 

2. How quickly do you need the bed?

Time is critical when arranging post-hospital care. While NHS/council beds often involve weeks of waiting, purchasing directly from Opera Beds ensures rapid delivery and installation which could get your loved one home quicker.

Note: Some hospital beds are more complex than others to install, which is something to bear in mind.

We provide an installation service with all our hospital beds where our crews can come to your home and aim to install your new bed within 10 working days from purchase. We also offer express installation, which is within 5 working days. For more information, head to our delivery and installation page.

3. Get Expert Guidance Before Choosing Your Hospital Bed

Selecting the right hospital bed is a crucial decision that impacts both patient comfort and carer safety. While consulting your NHS occupational therapist is valuable, our team here at Opera Beds offer additional advantages:

Why Expert Advice Matters:

• Personalised Recommendations: Our advisors consider medical needs, home environment and budget and have over 20 years within the hospital bed industry

• Therapist-Approved Solutions: Many of our beds are specifically recommended by healthcare professionals

• Future-Proofing Advice: We help you anticipate changing care needs to avoid costly upgrades later