Newly expanded outpatients area at Bedford Hospital will improve patient experience and help reduce waiting times

From Monday (10 October) Bedford Hospital will begin treating patients in a newly expanded, modern and purpose built facility, which will improve overall patient experience and tackle waiting lists, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is due to the completion of one of the Trust’s major redevelopment schemes to transform two vacant floors within the Cauldwell Centre on the hospital site.

This supports the Trust’s COVID-19 recovery plan, in which Government funding was awarded to NHS hospitals to help tackle the backlog and return elective and outpatient waiting times to pre-pandemic levels.

The expansion includes an additional 34 rooms, which increases the overall number of Outpatients rooms from 19 to 53.

The additional 34 rooms include 27 purpose-designed Outpatients rooms, 3 treatment rooms for minor procedures and 4 e-consultation rooms.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, joined Bedford Hospital Outpatients staff yesterday (Wednesday 5 October) to officially open the new Outpatients space.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada said:

“I am delighted and honoured to officially open this new space at Bedford Hospital, which will not only make a huge difference to the working lives of our local hospital staff, but will make a big difference to the care our community receive.”

Cathy Jones, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer for Bedfordshire Hospitals said:

“In the face of undeniable pressure, our teams have worked exceptionally hard to treat both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic, while supporting the continuation of planned and urgent care services.

“We are thrilled to have completed the expansion of our new Outpatients space. This is going to have a significant impact on current and future operational pressures for us, as it will allow our teams to see more patients, and importantly treat those whose care has been delayed due to the pandemic.”

Hayley Peacock-Jordan, Senior Sister within Outpatients at Bedford Hospital said:

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming our patients to this modern, patient-centred facility.

“We are also excited to expand our e-consultation rooms, which we introduced since the start of the pandemic. Over 25% of our appointments are currently virtual video consultations, which have been hugely successful, offering a more convenient, flexible service to patients, and brings their care closer to home.

“Our clinical teams have played a huge part in the planning of this new space to ensure it meets the needs of our patients. We absolutely know that this is going to make a huge difference to the experience and care our patients and visitors receive.”

The new Outpatients space is just one of several redevelopment projects the Trust have embarked on in order to improve patient and staff facilities on its two hospital sites.