公立医院新增床位数近五年首降

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent trends in China's public hospital bed capacity, highlighting a slowdown in growth and the implications for healthcare resource allocation and public hospital development, emphasizing a balance between expansion and control [3][4]. Summary by Sections Public Hospital Bed Capacity Trends - In the past year, the expansion of public hospital bed capacity has slowed, with the number of new beds decreasing for the first time since 2020. The total number of hospital beds in China reached 10.298 million by the end of 2024, with public hospitals accounting for 78.8% of this total [6][8]. - The growth rate of hospital beds has declined, with a year-on-year increase of only 1.2% in 2024, the lowest in nearly six years. Public hospitals added 70,000 beds, while private hospitals added 45,000 beds [8][9]. Bed Utilization Rates - The bed utilization rate for hospitals nationwide was 78.8% in 2024, down from 79.4% in 2023. Public hospitals had a utilization rate of 84.8%, a decrease from 86% the previous year. The average length of stay for discharged patients also decreased [10][11]. - The utilization rates for different hospital levels were 53.6% for primary hospitals, 73.1% for secondary hospitals, and 89.6% for tertiary hospitals, all showing a decline compared to the previous year [11]. Policy and Regulatory Environment - The National Health Commission has emphasized the need to stabilize the bed capacity of public tertiary hospitals while controlling excessive and unplanned expansions. Various regions have implemented measures to limit the number of branches for public hospitals and the scale of new hospital constructions [12][13]. - Specific regulations include limiting the number of branches for public hospitals to three and capping new hospital bed capacities at 1,500 beds in several provinces [12][13].