22 August 2025
Local residents invited to have their say on community and mental health…
People living in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will get the chance to shape the future of community and mental health services in the area,…
Home » News » Newly expanded outpatients area at Bedford Hospital will improve patient experience and help reduce waiting times
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.
For press enquiries, please email blmkicb.communications@nhs.net
22 August 2025
Local residents invited to have their say on community and mental health…
People living in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will get the chance to shape the future of community and mental health services in the area,…
19 August 2025
Local NHS waiting lists fall again, despite small national increase
NHS waiting lists in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have fallen again, according to new figures issued by NHS England. Despite a small rise of…
14 August 2025
School and college leavers invited to check out NHS and care careers,…
With tens of thousands of young people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes set to receive their A Level, T Level, NVQ and GCSE results today and next week, school…
14 August 2025
Mums-to-be in the East of England can skip the GP to get…
Newly pregnant women across the East of England can now self-refer online to get their “all-important” first midwife appointments quicker, ensuring the best and most personalised care for their baby.…
11 August 2025
Learning disabilities care provider uses digital records to improve care
A local care organisation that provides care to people with a learning disability has been reaping the benefits of using digital care records. Winray Care Housing in Luton provides care…
5 August 2025
Chairs which can lift people who fall in their own homes reduce…
A chair which helps lift people safely and quickly in an emergency after a fall has been proven to reduce avoidable ambulance call-outs and associated healthcare costs, improve care, and…