Secretary of State officially opens new clinical space at Leighton Buzzard Health Centre

Seven new clinical rooms created to meet growing demand at Leighton Buzzard Health Centre were officially opened at a ceremony yesterday (Thursday 19 June) by Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

The Secretary of State was welcomed to the site by Alex Mayer MP and by Robin Porter and Felicity Cox, respectively chair and chief executive officer of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board.  Prior to cutting the ribbon on the new facilities, the minister received a tour of the building and met local clinicians and patient representatives.

The new rooms will offer more appointments with a range of healthcare professionals, as the population of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes continues to grow more than twice as quickly as that of England as a whole.

Funded by central government and delivered by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and NHS Property Services following engagement with local patients, the additional clinic space will significantly increase capacity by converting disused space and improving the layout of existing clinical rooms.

Five rooms – along with a new waiting area, WC and reception space – have been developed on the first floor in an area that was previously used for administration.  Two more rooms have been created on the ground floor by reconfiguring the existing layout into fully equipped clinical spaces.

The development is expected to provide space for up to 56,000 more appointments each year, including the recently launched Integrated Same Day Minor Illness Service, operated by the town’s Primary Care Network, which includes care from enhanced nurse practitioners, pharmacists and paramedics.

Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:

“This investment will deliver 56,000 more appointments for local patients every year, cutting waiting times. It is part of this government’s Plan for Change to shift care out of hospital and into the community, treating people closer to home.

“On top of the 1,700 new GPs we’ve recruited to the frontline, the extra £1 billion we’ve invested in GPs, and the reforms to help end the 8am scramble and bring back the family doctor, this expansion is part of our agenda to fix the front door to the NHS.

“It will take time to turn the NHS around, but the investment and reforms this government is making is putting the NHS on the road to recovery.”

Felicity Cox, chief executive officer of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“I am delighted that we’ve been able to deliver additional clinical space in Leighton Buzzard.  The demand for appointments in primary care has grown significantly in recent years, and we are working hard to find ways both to enhance our premises and recruit clinical staff to new roles which support patients.

“We are seeking to make best use of space wherever we can, so that we can provide more appointments for people when they need them, in high-quality clinical settings.  Our estates and clinical teams continue to look for cost-effective ways to meet the needs of local communities.”

Alex Mayer, MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, said:

“Today is a good day!  This is an important moment for Leighton Buzzard’s residents who have for too long struggled to get a GP appointment.  I am delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, to the town to officially open the seven new clinical rooms.

“This investment at the Leighton Buzzard Health Centre will mean up to 56,000 more appointments can be held every year.  That starts from this week.

“It’s an important part of the jigsaw complete. We can see this government is serious about getting the NHS fighting fit again, coming hot on the heels of the welcome news that an additional £29 billion a year is going into day-to-day NHS spending.”

Jackie Ducker, chief customer officer at NHS Property Services, said:

“This project reflects our commitment to creating healthcare spaces that are accessible, fit for the future and meet the needs of local communities.  By transforming underused estate into vibrant clinical environments like this one, we’re helping deliver more personalised, preventative and high-quality care to the patients who are treated here.  We’re proud to have worked in close partnership with the ICB on this development and we’re delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to see the impact first-hand.”