Spaces closed in QEH emergency department to manage staffing shortage The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has closed at least a dozen beds in the emergency department this summer. The decision was made, because of a shortage of doctors and nurses to work. Social Sharing 'In our eyes the people are still coming, so in our eyes the nurses are going to be working harder' Posted: Jul 28, 2021 6:41 PM AT | Last Updated: July 28 Staffing levels at the QEH emergency department have been reduced from 13 nurses on day shifts to 10 and from eight nurses during overnight shifts to seven. (Shutterstock)