How to Get a Hospital Bed for Free in the UK

Are you or a loved one due to be released home from the hospital soon? Doctors may have advised that a hospital or electric bed is needed before discharge.

Arranging this can feel overwhelming, especially if you haven’t organised it before, so we’ve created this guide to help.

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

From NHS-provided beds to local charities and community services, the proper support can make a huge difference to comfort, safety, and recovery. This section explains the main routes available, the criteria involved, and what to expect from the application process.

Getting a hospital bed through the NHS

In the UK, most people who need a hospital bed at home can get one free of charge through the NHS or local authority social services. 

These beds are provided on loan, so you won’t own them, but you’ll be able to use them for as long as needed.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify, a healthcare professional, like your GP, a district nurse, or an occupational therapist, must assess your needs and confirm that a hospital bed is medically necessary. 

Reasons may include:

• You need to change your body position regularly to relieve pressure, prevent sores, or improve circulation.

• You have a medical condition that requires your head or feet to be elevated for treatment or comfort.

• You’re unable to get in or out of an ordinary bed safely.

• You’ve recently been discharged from hospital after surgery or illness, and need extra support at home.

The process

1. Assessment: Speak to your GP, hospital team, or community nurse. They may refer you to an occupational therapist for a home assessment.

2. Recommendation: If the assessment confirms that you need a hospital bed, a prescription or referral will be made to the local NHS equipment service.

3. Delivery: The bed will usually be delivered and set up by the local equipment loan service.

4. Ongoing Support: The NHS will maintain and repair the bed while you use it, and collect it when it’s no longer needed.

If your needs change, e.g. you require a more advanced bed with height adjustment or side rails, speak to your GP or occupational therapist, who can request an upgrade.

Other ways to get a free hospital bed in the UK

While the NHS is the main route, other sources can provide a free hospital bed if you don’t meet the NHS criteria or need one quickly.

Local council social services

Councils can provide hospital beds as part of a care package. This often overlaps with NHS provision but may include additional support, such as carers, to help with daily activities.

Charities and non-profit organisations

Many charities loan out or donate hospital beds to people in need – these organisations include:

• The British Red Cross offers short-term equipment loans.

• Age UK can help older people access mobility and care equipment.

• Living Made Easy provides advice and signposting to local equipment providers.

Hospices and palliative care services

If you or your loved one is receiving end-of-life care, hospices may be able to arrange for a hospital bed to be delivered to your home.

In the UK, you should never have to go without essential medical equipment because of cost. Whether through the NHS, your local council, or a charity, systems are in place to ensure people get the right bed for their needs.

If you need a hospital bed at home, speak to your GP or occupational therapist as soon as possible. The sooner the process starts, the sooner you or your loved one can feel the benefits of safe, comfortable, and supported rest.

Learn more about short-term hospital bed use in our guide – Hospital Bed Hire: Pros, Cons & What's Right for You.

How to get VAT relief on a hospital bed for home use

If you want to hire or buy an adjustable medical bed, you may be eligible for VAT relief if you're disabled.

VAT relief isn't a refund, but if you're eligible, the supplier you buy or rent from will not charge you VAT on various goods. These include specialist beds, chair and stair lifts, rise and recline chairs, and other lifting equipment and sanitary devices.

The HMRC's 'Get VAT relief on certain goods if you have a disability' page clarifies that you won't need to pay VAT if you're buying:

• Electrical or mechanical adjustable beds.

• Riser recliner chairs that are designed to help you move from a seated position to a standing position and vice versa.

In terms of eligibility criteria, you can get VAT relief if you're chronically sick or disabled, and the goods are for your personal or domestic use.

For VAT purposes, you're chronically sick or disabled if you have a:

• Physical or mental impairment that has a long-term and substantial effect on your ability to carry out everyday activities.

• A condition that the medical profession (e.g. doctors, the NHS, and other healthcare professionals) treats as a chronic sickness or long-term health condition.

This definition does not include people who are temporarily disabled or incapacitated, e.g. if you have a broken limb or are an older person, but you don't have a disability or chronic illness.

To prove your eligibility, the supplier may ask for a written statement declaring your eligibility for adjustable beds, profiling beds, or bariatric beds.

Buying a hospital-style bed for home use 

If you need a hospital bed quickly or for long-term care, purchasing one gives you greater control, comfort, and convenience than 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 hospital bed cost guide.

When buying a hospital bed may be the better choice

While many people in the UK can get a hospital bed for free through the NHS or local authority, there are situations where buying your own bed can be the more practical and beneficial option.

1. Faster access

The NHS process involves assessments, referrals, and waiting times, and delays can happen if beds are in high demand.

Purchasing a hospital bed allows you to have it delivered and installed without waiting for an appointment or approval.

2. Greater choice and personalisation

NHS-provided beds meet essential clinical needs, but they’re often standard models. When you buy your own bed, you can choose from a broader range of designs, including models with:

• Full electric adjustment for height, head, and foot sections

• Premium comfort features such as memory foam mattresses

• Stylish finishes that blend with your home’s décor

• Extra-wide or specialist designs tailored to your needs

3. Long-term ownership

Hospital beds provided through the NHS are on loan, meaning they must be returned when they’re no longer deemed medically necessary.

If your needs are ongoing or permanent, buying your own ensures you can access the bed for as long as you want, with no requirement to hand it back.

4. Freedom to upgrade

When you purchase a hospital bed, you can add accessories or upgrade at any time, for example, installing grab rails, overbed tables, or pressure care mattresses, without going through an approval process.

5. It frees up stock for someone else to have one

By purchasing your own hospital bed, you free up NHS-approved hospital beds and stock for someone else who may not have the means to buy one.

This can be particularly important when equipment is in short supply, helping other patients get the support they need sooner.

6. Peace of mind

Owning your hospital bed means you control its maintenance, cleanliness, and lifespan. You can be sure it’s always in the condition you expect, and there is no need to wait for a service visit if something goes wrong.

If you urgently need a hospital bed, want more choice and control over its features, or prefer to own rather than borrow, buying your own bed could be the best solution.

At Opera Beds, we offer a range of high-quality hospital beds for home use – combining clinical functionality with comfort and style.

How to choose the right hospital bed for your home

Choosing the right hospital bed is about more than just functionality; it’s about ensuring the bed supports your specific health needs, comfort, and overall well-being.

At Opera Beds, we design our beds to meet a wide range of care requirements, whether that’s short-term recovery, mobility support, or long-term care at home.

If you’d like our friendly team to guide you through the options, we’re always here to help.

1. What type of hospital bed do you need?

The first thing to consider is why the bed is needed and how it will help with a particular condition. For example, some hospital beds can be raised and lowered to make getting in and out easier, or to help carers provide support more comfortably.

Beds with a greater height range can be raised to waist level, reducing strain on carers during daily care.

At Opera Beds, we offer a wide choice of hospital beds for home use, each with features to suit different needs:

Height-adjustable beds for carer support

These beds can be raised to waist level, making on-bed care and transfers safer and more comfortable for carers. This makes them ideal for post-surgery recovery or for people who require frequent carer assistance.

Ultra-low floor beds for fall prevention

We've designed a selection of beds that lower to just 11cm from the floor (such as our Solo Collection) to help reduce the risk of injury for people prone to falls, such as people with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or limited mobility.

Fully adjustable profiling beds for advanced needs

Electric profiling beds (like our Signature Collection) allow you to adjust the head and leg sections to improve comfort, circulation, and pressure relief. 

So, if you're living with a long-term or progressive condition, such as MS or MND, or you have limited mobility, you can get a quality night's sleep.

Still unsure which bed is right for you? Our Bed Selector Tool makes it easy: just answer a few quick questions about your care needs, and we’ll recommend the most suitable options.

2. How quickly do you need the bed?

Speed can be crucial when arranging care at home. While NHS or council-provided beds are an excellent option, they can sometimes take weeks to arrange. 

Purchasing a bed from Opera Beds means you can have it delivered and installed quickly – helping your loved one return home sooner.

Some hospital beds are more complex to install than others, so it’s worth considering that. We offer a full bed installation service with all our beds, aiming to have your bed set up within 10 working days of purchase.

Need it sooner? We also offer an express installation service within just 5 working days.

3. Get expert guidance before choosing your hospital bed

The right hospital bed can make a huge difference to both the patient’s comfort and the carer’s ability to provide safe, effective support.

While advice from your NHS occupational therapist is invaluable, our team can offer additional insights and guidance:

• Personalised recommendations: We consider your medical needs, living space, and budget to match you with the most suitable bed.

• Therapist-approved solutions: Many of our beds are trusted and recommended by healthcare professionals.

• Future-proofing: We help you think ahead so your bed can adapt to changing care needs, saving you from costly upgrades later.

If you’d like to see our beds in detail, we also offer virtual showroom appointments, where you can explore the options from the comfort of your home.

For further advice, contact our team for guidance and product information.

How Opera can help you get a hospital bed for home