OBJECTIVES : We assessed the numbers of Hungarian acute and chronic inpatient beds related to leading causes of deaths in Hungary and Europe between 2002-2017.

METHODS : Descriptive analysis was used in the study. Capacities for cardiovascular, oncological and lung diseases were analysed between 2002-2017. Data were derived from the Health Insurance Fund Administration and the Central Statistical Office.

RESULTS : Leading causes of deaths are connected to cardiovascular, oncological and lung diseases and they were responsible for 63% of all deaths in 2017. Number of their beds increased continuously (16.3% of all, 16,248 beds in 2017). This rose from 15% to 18.9% for acute beds, ratio of chronic beds stagnated on 12% throughout the years. Cardiovascular beds decreased from 3,763 to 3,345 under a legislation made in 2006. However, this resulted an increase in chronic beds by 488, and as a result of the Semmelweis-plan there were 5,394 chronic beds by 2013. The number of oncological beds slightly decreased from 2,427 in 2002 to 2,395 in 2017, and a slight increase of 96 due to the 2006 law. Internal rates of oncology, radiotherapy and haematology beds got changed by the same Act, which has been reorganized by the Semmelweis-plan. In Hungary, third most deaths have been caused by lung diseases instead of liver since 2010, showing a steady increase. However, the amount of beds decreased from 4,206 in 2002 to 3,353 in 2017; acute beds decreased by 1,157 while chronic beds increased by 327, mainly as a result of capacity regulation.

CONCLUSIONS : Despite that number of assessed hospital beds stagnated between 2002-2017, their significance grew. This is true in respect of beds of cardiovascular diseases, in which case mortality reduced. Tendency is obverse in lung diseases, where mortality increased while number of beds decreased. When will the health care system react?