Feasibility Study of additional health and care services in Leighton Buzzard released

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board has today [17 May 23] published the initial findings of its Feasibility Study, after land was highlighted for potential release by the Department of Health and Social Care to support the development of further health and care services in Leighton Buzzard.

This Study follows the public meeting, held on 9 February 2023 at Cedars School in the town, where the ICB’s Chair and Chief Executive listened to local people and confirmed that no decisions had been made about the development of further integrated health and care hubs.

In summary, the rapid Feasibility Study, launched in March 2023 and informed by external, expert technical and financial advice, has established that:

• Although access to a range of health professionals in the town is increasing, many residents in Leighton Buzzard report continued difficulty in accessing primary care;
• Access to appointments at the three GP surgeries in Leighton Buzzard is broadly consistent with access elsewhere across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, with appointments at GP surgeries per 1000 population higher than both the BLMK and national average;
• The land off Vandyke Road, held by the Secretary of State for Health and Care, could enable the provision of additional healthcare services by providing a location for an additional facility and/or by releasing value from the land to increase capital funding; and,
• Given the pace of housing development in Leighton Buzzard, additional primary care capacity could potentially be secured through the delivery of a new facility in a choice of two locations to the East of Leighton Buzzard, as explored in the Study.

The ICB looks forward to discussing the findings of the Study with residents and partners.

Felicity Cox, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board said:

“Improving access to health and care across our area is a priority for the Integrated Care Board and requires us to work with partners and clinicians to help us deliver affordable and sustainable solutions.

We have listened to residents and understand the need to future proof services in Leighton Buzzard given the growth in housing and population growth expected over the next decade.

The Feasibility Study shows that we have two potential options available to us and we will work with residents and partners to agree how a new space could best be used, subject to detailed planning and the development of an outline business case”.

To read a summary of the initial findings of the ICB’s rapid Feasibility Study, visit blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/publications/feasibility-study-of-additional-health-and-care-services-in-leighton-buzzard-released.  We now look forward to discussing the Study with residents, including in the context of the recent patient survey conducted by local Patient Participation Groups.

The ICB will continue to work with partners, local representatives and residents to meet the needs of local people in a way that is sustainable over the long term.