Myths of ideal hospital occupancy

• Significant problems in health care, such as access block and long waiting lists for elective surgery, have led to calls for keeping hospital occupancy at no more than 85%. • It is elementary queueing theory that a finite-capacity system with variable demand cannot sustain both full utilisation and full availability. • However, the statement that there is a single level of ideal or safe occupancy suitable for all situations is a simplistic interpretation and application of the underlying science. • We argue that specific study and action are necessary to understand and deal with the problems of long waiting lists and access block in any given health care facility.