French Hospitals Close Nearly 5,000 Beds in 2023 Amid Ongoing Healthcare Crisis

The reduction in hospital beds highlights a decade-long trend driven by staff shortages and a shift towards outpatient care.

In 2023, France closed 4,900 full hospitalization beds, continuing a trend that has seen 43,500 beds cut since 2013.
The decrease in beds is attributed to a lack of healthcare personnel and a strategic move towards more outpatient services.
Despite the closures, 3,489 partial hospitalization places were added in 2023, though they do not fully compensate for the loss of full beds.
The shift to outpatient and home care is partly due to advancements in medical procedures and efforts to reduce social security costs.
Healthcare workers have criticized the bed closures, which have increased pressure on hospital services and prompted widespread calls for policy changes.