What is the cost of a hospital bed?

Hospital beds come in all shapes and sizes and they range in prices too. Depending on what you want to include, hospital bed prices can vary massively.

We’ve put together this guide on how much they cost and the different factors that affect the price, so you can budget for your ideal bed.

(Please note that these beds are for use on hospital wards.)

Types of Hospital Beds

When it comes to pricing, there are three main categories of hospital bed — Budget, Mid-range and Specialist.

Bed Type	Price Range (per bed)
Budget	From £1,500
Mid-range	From £2,100
Specialist	Up to £12,000

All three offer different benefits, but generally the higher the price range the higher the functionality and specification.

Budget Hospital Beds

For a basic hospital bed with an electric adjustment, but no additional features, you’re looking at prices starting from £1,500 for one bed.

Mid-range Hospital Beds

For hospital beds that are more equipped and a higher spec (like the Interlude range), then the price is around £2,100 depending on the extras that you include.

Hospital bed prices can start from anywhere around £1500. The Interlude Newcare V3 starts at £2100 and includes features such as Trendelenburg and Anti-Trendelenburg tilt and cardiac chair positioning.

SPECIALIST BEDS

The absolute maximum hospital bed prices are much higher. For example, if you want a bariatric hospital bed with lateral tilt and all the bells and whistles, it could cost up to £12,000.

Do bear in mind though that lots of good hospital bed suppliers will offer discounted rates for bulk orders. Again, the exact specification of your hospital beds will affect the cost.

Learn more about the different types of care beds.

Other factors affecting hospital bed prices

As we know already, prices of hospitals beds vary considerably depending on the model and specification. However, there are several other factors that can also impact cost:

1)     Siderails

One of the first things you will consider with a hospital bed is the siderails. Siderails range in style and cost depending on what sort you want.

If you’re wanting basic metal concertina bedrails, then these will sometimes be included as standard or will come at a small extra cost.

But for more advanced options like split siderails, the cost will be more. We’ve looked at the benefits of split siderails before, you can read about them here.

Split siderails have a lot of benefits, but they do tend to be more expensive than full-length bedsides.

2) Bed Controls

The bed controls will also affect hospital bed prices.

A standard remote control is the most affordable bed control option.

If you want to have a control panel built-in to the siderail (as pictured above), this will be more expensive. The key benefit is patients can reposition their bed themselves. So, this is a great option in wards where enhancing patient independence is a priority. For safety purposes, there is a lock to disable this function if needed.

Digital nurse controls will similarly push up the price. However, they are much quicker and easier to use in an emergency. This is a popular choice for ICUs.

3)    Non-Standard Sizing

Narrow hospital beds tend to cost more because they are a specialist size. Likewise, shorter hospital beds will also be more expensive.

Please bear in mind that if you are looking at hospital beds in specialist sizes, you will need to make sure your mattresses and the right size for the bed. Always double-check your mattress and bed sizes to save yourself time and hassle!

Integral length adjustment may also cost more on some hospital beds. The Volker range is available with length adjustability, but it doesn’t come as standard.

Volker beds have been hand-picked for their versatility and innovative features that make patient care as easy and straightforward as possible.

Bariatric hospital beds will also be more expensive because they are bigger. Bariatric beds are also reinforced for plus-sized patients to make sure that the bed will provide long-lasting support around the hospital.

4)     Hospital Bed Accessories

Any additional accessories you add on to the bed will also increase the price. That includes things like IV poles, brake alarms, and built-in weigh scales.

The option of a fifth wheel (in the centre of the bed) and a linen tray would also push the cost up. However, a central brake is usually included in a hospital bed as standard.

Which features and accessories you need to invest in will depend on where the hospital bed will be used. For example, cardiac chair and Trendelenburg positioning functions are essential for ICU beds. You can learn more about this in our guide to ICU beds vs. ward beds.

SUMMARY

In a nutshell, hospital beds can cost anywhere between £1,500 and £12,000 depending on what you want and the specifications. Specialist models will cost more, as will including lots of accessories.

The key is to get in touch with a reputable hospital bed supplier. They will be able to talk through your requirements and recommend beds to suit your patient and staff needs. Of course, they will also go through the prices and what you get for that cost!

Innova have been working with NHS and private hospitals for over a decade. One of our specialists will be more than happy to offer advice and bed recommendations.