A line chart from the Institute for Government showing general and acute NHS hospital bed occupancy in England from March 2020 to September 2025. After a sharp fall during the pandemic’s first wave, occupancy recovered and has since remained high, averaging around 93%, well above the RCEM’s 85% recommended safe level. Adult occupancy has stayed persistently elevated, while paediatric occupancy has mainly fluctuated between 60–80%, peaking during winter months.