A committee of councillors from Bedford Borough, Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire had the opportunity on Wednesday to question those overseeing a review of health and social care services in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) began at the behest of NHS England earlier in the year as a means of bringing NHS and social care commissioners and providers together to design the future delivery of services across the country.

The local STP, covering Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, will include a review of how Bedford, Luton & Dunstable and Milton Keynes Hospitals can work more closely and share services.  It is not clear at this stage whether the proposal of the now defunct Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Healthcare Review to close Bedford Hospital’s maternity unit will be taken forward, although the councillors were told that further details on plans for hospital services will be provided in March.

During the meeting, Committee Chair and Conservative Cllr John Mingay told STP representatives:

‘It seems you are moving forward but we do not seem to be any nearer to answering some vital plans as far as Bedford is concerned.

‘The uncertainty with Bedford Hospital is not helping recruitment. When is there light at the end of the tunnel?’

The STP will also look at closer working between the NHS and local authority social care, as well as GP services.  See http://www.blmkstp.co.uk/ for more information.