Conservative Group Leader Cllr Stephen Moon has welcomed a long-awaited report which has confirmed that key services will be retained at Bedford Hospital. 

The report follows several months of work carried out by healthcare organisers, the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG), Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (MKCCG) and NHS England on the future of healthcare services in the area.

Of particular interest are proposals concerning the provision of services at Bedford Hospital and Milton Keynes Hospital.  Two options have been put forward which could see one of the hospitals become an ‘Integrated Care Centre’ and the other a ‘Major Emergency Centre (b)’. 

Both hospitals currently have statuses similar to a Major Emergency Centre (b) so it is possible that the hospital which becomes an Integrated Care Centre will see some services reduced or delivered differently.  Despite this, the Integrated Care Centre will retain A & E, maternity and paediatric services.  The removal of these services has been of concern in recent months but the report confirms that they will remain at Bedford Hospital. 

Cllr Moon has also been encouraged that the report has not ruled out the possibility of either hospital expanding links with other hospital networks.  Bedford Hospital already has strong links with Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and he feels that this should be explored further.

In addition, the report details plans for GP and community services that seeks to bring services closer to home and avoid trips to hospital by integrating services. 

Further analysis will take place in the coming months and the plans will then form the basis of a public consultation although this will not take place until after the General Election in May.  The report and updates on the review can be seen by clicking here.

Commenting on the proposals, Conservative Group Leader Cllr Stephen Moon said:

‘It was encouraging to see that the Clinical Commissioning Group is open to the possibility of establishing networks with other hospitals.  This option should be pursued rather than an arrangement that would see services moved away from Bedford Hospital to Milton Keynes Hospital.  

‘Bedford Hospital has performed very strongly of late and this is reflected in its rating from the Care Quality Commission.  This is down to the hard work of staff and it is unfair that they are being subjected to the constant uncertainty surrounding the Hospital’s future.

‘In the next few months we will all have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the case for ensuring Bedford Hospital’s services are maintained and enhanced.’