All of Europe faces an ageing population and cold weather in winter (Why is the NHS under so much pressure this winter?, 5 January). But other countries do not cancel all operations in January to cope. Why not? In 2000 the NHS had 167,019 beds. By 2016-17 this has gone down to 130,774. This is 2.4 beds per 1,000 population, less than half the EU average of 5.2. France has 6.2 and Germany 8.2. England is third lowest in the EU in bed provision despite being the second richest country. The beds we do have are too full, with people waiting who are more ill when they get treatment, and with upset and tired staff working more intensive workloads.
Karen Reissmann
Manchester
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