In the 1960s, the King's Fund caused a major stir when it developed a new specification for hospital beds. Manufacturers implemented the specification as the 'King's Fund bed', which was revolutionary in its time and a major step forward in patient care. Today, more than 30 years later, the bed is still in widespread use throughout hospitals and other health care organisations in the UK. However, research shows that modern requirements can no longer be met by a single basic specification; better beds are now needed, not only in hospitals, but also in the community and in nursing and residential homes. This study provides practical information and a systematic process to help in choosing the most suitable type of bed for use in hospitals, taking into account the needs of individuals, carers and health professionals.