Conservative Councillor Alison Foster has hit out at Mayor Dave Hodgson for suggesting that Bedford Hospital is at risk of a ‘major downgrade’ – even though the Hospital’s Board has approved plans for a new £20m A & E facility.

The prospect of a new A & E building is a further boost to the Hospital following confirmation from a health review report that key services such as paediatrics, maternity and A & E will be retained. 

The review, which is focussing on NHS services in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, also opened up the possibility for Bedford Hospital to strengthen ties with Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.   This would give Bedford Borough residents access to high quality specialist care at a world-renowned facility.

Cllr Foster feels that the Mayor’s comments are to blame for staff leaving the Hospital.  At Wednesday’s meeting of Bedford Borough Council she said:

‘In a recent TV interview the Chief Executive of the Hospital said ‘speculation by local stakeholders’ has been ‘unhelpful’ and that more staff left the Hospital than normal in the summer.  It is absolutely clear that the Mayor is preying upon the concerns of residents for political gain by talking down Bedford Hospital’s future to the extent that it is causing staff to leave.

‘Bedford Hospital has a huge opportunity to strengthen its ties with Addenbrooke’s Hospital, thus retaining key services and giving Bedford Borough residents access to high quality specialist services.  The Hospital needs more than ever people who will fight its corner and talk about its positive outlook such as with the new £20m A & E facility.  We do not need a Mayor who continues to talk down the Hospital, causing staff to leave and harming its future.’