How OpenBed works

1. A nurse updates a ward's count

Each hospital that takes part has a sign-in for its wards, or one for the whole hospital. The nurse in charge opens it on a phone and sets the ward's count in a few taps: how many beds are free, or that the ward is not admitting. If a ward cannot admit for a particular reason, such as no anaesthetist on duty, the hospital can say so, and the page shows it.

2. The map shows the count, with its age

The public page shows each ward's count as the hospital's own statement, with the time. Recent counts read, for example, "updated 6 min ago". As a count ages it is marked as older and asks you to call to confirm. After many hours with no update, OpenBed shows "no recent report" and asks you to call. If OpenBed itself cannot show current information, the page says so.

3. You call before you travel

Every page tells you to call the hospital before you travel, and shows the hospital's number. Hospitals agree to answer that number at all hours, by someone who can say whether they can admit. The count tells you whom to try first. The call settles it.

What happens to a count

• Only the hospital changes its own count. OpenBed does not edit it.
• A hospital's past counts are private. OpenBed does not publish them.
• A hospital can leave OpenBed at any time, and its listing comes off the map within one working day.

Who can see what

Anyone can read the public page, with no account. Only a hospital's own ward staff can update its counts. Sign-ins belong to a hospital or a ward, never to one person.

For hospitals

If your hospital would like to show its bed availability on OpenBed, write to hello@openbed.ng and we will send you the joining pack.

In an emergency, do not use this page. Call 112 or 767.