24 February 2023

People with long-term conditions urged to get protected with a flu jab

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have been newly diagnosed with a long-term condition have been reminded to come forward for a flu jab. Flu is a highly infectious…

24 February 2023

Start spring with a smile

As we start to move into the spring season and step away from the cold, dark evenings of winter, it’s important to remind ourselves to take care of our mental wellbeing…

24 February 2023

Bedford coffee mornings provide people with health and wellbeing advice

New community coffee mornings are providing people in Bedford with the opportunity to access health and wellbeing advice. Taking place on the first Thursday of every month at Christ the King…

21 February 2023

Local people benefit from mental health support at Crisis Cafés

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are benefitting from access to mental health crisis support 365 days a year thanks to drop-in Crisis Cafés. Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated…

21 February 2023

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board partners with Mental Health Innovations: text…

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has partnered with charity Mental Health Innovations to offer young people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes free and confidential…

17 February 2023

Huge demand for children’s flu vaccinations prompts more sessions

Additional catch-up sessions for children’s flu vaccinations will be held across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes following high levels of demand at sessions held during the half-term holiday. 600 vaccinations were…

16 February 2023

Bedford Borough Council Launch Cost of Living Grant Fund

A grant-funding scheme launched in Bedford Borough will support 13 voluntary organisations and community groups to help people struggling with the cost of living. Bedford Borough Council is working with Compass…

14 February 2023

Don’t let your heart burn on Valentine’s Day – get it checked, experts warn

If your heart burns with more than passion this Valentine’s Day, don’t ignore it – that’s the warning from cancer experts in the east of England. As part of Oesophageal Cancer Awareness…

10 February 2023

Health Minister praises NHS apprentices at celebration event

A Government Health Minister has praised local NHS Nursing Associate apprentices at a celebration event on Thursday evening (9 February), as part of National Apprenticeships Week 2023. Will Quince MP, Minister…

10 February 2023

Nursing Associates Event – Video

A Nursing Associates event was held during the evening of 9 February 2023 to celebrate our fantastic Nursing Associate Apprentices, as part of National Apprenticeship Week. You can hear from some…

9 February 2023

NHS Nursing Associate apprentices learn while they earn on new training route

Nursing Associates will be the focus of a celebration event in Bedford on Thursday evening (9 February), as part of National Apprenticeships Week 2023. 22 Primary Care Nursing Associates are now…

9 February 2023

Parents urged to catch up on flu vaccination at children’s clinics this half term

Parents of children who have not yet been vaccinated against flu this winter have been urged to attend one of a series of catch-up sessions for children this February half term,…

7 February 2023

Digital Innovations in Local Adult Social Care Showcased to National Health Leaders

A dynamic programme of digital investment for the social care sector was on show when senior managers from the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England visited a Bedfordshire…

7 February 2023

Still time to have your say on the future of digital health and care services

There’s still time for residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to give their thoughts and opinions on the future of digital health and care services. Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes…

3 February 2023

Live Well Newsletter Issue 1 2023

Welcome to the first issue of 2023 of ‘Live Well’, our partner newsletter for the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership. In this issue we highlight some of…

26 January 2023

Catch-up flu clinics for children in Luton

‘Catch-up’ flu clinics for children aged 2 to 15 are set to take place in Luton this weekend (Saturday 28 January) and during the February half-term break. The NHS continues to…

26 January 2023

Bedfordshire Hospitals’ Midwives win NHS England’s Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award

Professor Jacqueline Dunkley–Bent OBE, NHS England’s Chief Midwifery Officer, recently awarded three of our marvellous midwives at Bedfordshire Hospitals these coveted awards. The Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award is awarded to…

26 January 2023

Healthy Mother, Healthy Pregnancy Event

Health and care professionals are invited to attend a ‘Healthy Mother, Healthy Pregnancy’ event hosted by the Local Maternity & Neonatal System (LMNS) at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care…

24 January 2023

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Bedford Borough is encouraging residents who have received a letter from their GP inviting them to a cervical screening test, to attend their appointment. Screening helps to detect any pre-cancer changes…

17 January 2023

Changes to provider for Ivel Medical Centre, Biggleswade

Statement on Ivel Medical Centre, Biggleswade The GP partners at Ivel Medical Centre in Biggleswade have notified Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) of their decision to…

17 January 2023

First ‘Using Quality Improvement to Tackle Inequity’ workshop held in BLMK

A workshop on using quality improvement to tackle inequity was delivered for the first time in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes – a big step forward as part of Bedfordshire, Luton…

12 January 2023

Victor’s diabetes prevention journey in Luton

When Victor was first told he was at high risk and very close to developing Type 2 Diabetes, he was worried and wasn’t sure what steps he needed to take to…

9 January 2023

Quality Improvement in Care Homes – Promoting Infection Prevention and Control

The IPC and QI Team with Meds Management team Using money provided by NHS England to improve Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) in care homes, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated…

4 January 2023

Message from Dr Whiteman, Chief Medical Director

With Group A STREP, flu and Covid-19 infections circulating in our communities, we are seeing an increase in the number of very sick people who need urgent care in our area.…

4 January 2023

New Luton Dementia Service Will Support Care Homes

Launch of new service in Luton, supporting care homes caring for people with a diagnosis of Dementia. Bedfordshire Dementia Intensive Support Service has been awarded temporary funding until the end of…

3 January 2023

NHS Launches New Dementia Diagnosis Drive in Central Bedfordshire 

A new specialist dementia diagnosis service is being set up by the Trust in Central Bedfordshire as part of a national NHS pilot. Care home residents will be assessed for the condition…

3 January 2023

NHS trials helper robot to deliver medicines around hospitals

Milton Keynes University Hospital is delighted to be working with Academy of Robotics, a small British artificial intelligence company, to create and trial a delivery robot or “Helper Bot” to help…

23 December 2022

“Try NHS 111 online first this winter,” NHS advises patients

This winter the NHS is running a new campaign to encourage people to get to the help they need by using the NHS 111 online service. The NHS 111 online service…

22 December 2022

Local NHS issues urgent plea to the public as services experience extreme pressures 

Local NHS leaders are urging patients to use the right NHS service for their condition as health services across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes experience their busiest period in history.  The…

22 December 2022

Pharmacy opening hours over the festive period

Ahead of the Christmas period (24 December – 3 January), people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are being reminded how to access health services. Pharmacies across the region will have…

21 December 2022

“Get the flu jab this winter,” people over 50 are reminded

Over-50s in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been reminded that it’s not too late to get a flu vaccination as the number of cases continues to rise across England. Most…

21 December 2022

Christmas 2022 issue of Live Well

Welcome to the Christmas 2022 issue of Live Well, our partner newsletter for the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership. In this issue we highlight examples of how…

16 December 2022

Don’t forget to order your repeat prescriptions in time for Christmas

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are being reminded to order their repeat prescriptions in time for Christmas. Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is urging…

15 December 2022

AI-powered software transforming stroke care in Milton Keynes

Software powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming care for stroke patients at Milton Keynes Hospital. The new software is helping to quickly diagnose and treat patients. The software analyses CT…

15 December 2022

Personal health budgets are helping children and young people to have more choice about their…

S is a young person from Luton with a diagnosis of Autism and Global Development Delay. S also has a problematic sleep pattern. She attends a local Children with Special Educational…

15 December 2022

Digital innovation brings important benefits to social care

The wealth of digital technology and equipment being introduced to support people using social care services is making a real difference across Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. The exciting…

14 December 2022

Industrial Action 2022

Industrial action in England The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that it plans to take strike action on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December. The strikes will happen in England,…

13 December 2022

Warm Homes Bedford Borough Launched

Bedford Borough residents with long term health conditions could receive free support to help keep their households warm this winter. Warm Homes Bedford Borough has been set up by Bedford Borough…

12 December 2022

“Get the flu jab this winter,” people with long-term conditions urged

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who live with a long-term health condition have been urged to get a flu vaccination as the number of cases continues to rise across…

9 December 2022

AI-powered software transforming stroke care in Milton Keynes.

Software powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming care for stroke patients at Milton Keynes Hospital. The new software is helping to quickly diagnose and treat patients. The software analyses CT…

8 December 2022

Pregnant women urged to get the flu jab this winter

Pregnant women in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to come forward for a flu vaccination this winter. With the holiday season fast approaching, there is still time to…

6 December 2022

Group A Strep – What you need to know

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common bacteria. Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. However, GAS does cause…

2 December 2022

Leighton Linslade Health Connections – New Name and a New Home

The NHS is investing in new services at Leighton Buzzard Health Centre that will support the work of the town’s three GP practices. Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board…

2 December 2022

Supporting wellbeing within the primary care workforce while helping patients to better self-manage their mental…

The ever-increasing pressure on primary care services in England has been well documented in recent times. NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) recognised this issue and…

1 December 2022

Welcome to the December 2022 issue of Live Well

Download our partner newsletter for the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership. Live-Well-Newsletter-Dec-22-FinalDownload

1 December 2022

Two COVID-19 vaccination centres in Bedford and Luton to close

As the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations changes to resemble more closely the delivery of other vaccinations, such as for flu, two vaccination centres in Bedford and Luton will close on 14…

1 December 2022

Milton Keynes COVID-19 vaccination centre to close

As the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations changes to resemble more closely the delivery of other vaccinations, such as for flu, the vaccination centre at Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes will close…

1 December 2022

Bedford NHS staff member who reached out to Keeping Well shares her “life-changing” experience

When an NHS staff member says she was close to resigning due to feeling overwhelmed at work, she reached out in time to the Keeping Well BLMK service. She shares the story: “When…

30 November 2022

Luton GP practice undergoes major renovation

Thousands of patients are set to benefit as Kingsway Health Centre in Luton officially re-opens following a major renovation. The renovation has been completed to provide a safe and modern premises…

25 November 2022

Workforce Podcast

In this episode of BLMK Health Conversations On…we focus on Workforce. We discuss what the term means in the broader sense, the importance of investing in people, the reasons why taking…

24 November 2022

Working together for a dementia patient in Leighton Buzzard

“D”, from Leighton Buzzard, suffered with dementia. Enabling her to remain at home was very important. However, her respiratory condition had deteriorated and she was unable to climb the stairs to…

21 November 2022

Success for Luton Children’s Epilepsy Pilot at HSJ Awards 2022

A Children’s Epilepsy Pilot in Luton has been named the winner of the ‘Using Data to Connect Services Award’ at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards 2022. The ‘Digitising Care for…

18 November 2022

Local Support for Young People with a Neurodiversity Diagnosis

Getting a neurodiversity diagnosis– which can include conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – for your child can leave families with lots of questions,…

17 November 2022

Flu Vaccination Reminder for Parents of Young Children

Parents of children aged 2 and 3 are being encouraged to take up the offer of the flu vaccine for their children. The flu vaccination for children is a quick and…

17 November 2022

Going Digital – The Future of Health and Care Services?

Residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are being urged to give their thoughts and opinions on the future of digital health and care services. Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health…

14 November 2022

Get Active this National Self Care Week

Health and care organisations across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are urging local residents to become more active as National Self Care Week gets underway from Monday, 14 November.  Self Care…

11 November 2022

Janeth’s Diabetes Prevention Journey in Luton

When Janeth learned that she was at risk of Type 2 diabetes, she was worried and stressed how this would affect her everyday life. As Type 2 diabetes runs in her…

10 November 2022

How the Population Health Management approach helped Jane who spent every day in the front…

One of the key reasons I enjoy my role so much is because I get to help people tackle the problems that matter to them. Social prescribers like myself keep a…

9 November 2022

Putnoe Walk-In Centre Contract extended until March 2024

Putnoe Walk-In Centre will remain open as the contract has been extended to 31 March 2024 by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB).  The current opening hours for…

4 November 2022

£3million funding to help tackle region’s health inequalities

The University of Bedfordshire has been awarded £3million by NHS England to develop a research and innovation hub in collaboration with the NHS BLMK (Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes) Health &…

4 November 2022

Walk-in Slots Open at Large Vaccination Centres

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination now have more choice about where and when to receive it. Starting on Saturday 5 November, the…

4 November 2022

Welcome to the October 2022 issue of Live Well, our partner newsletter for the Bedfordshire,…

Live-Well-October-issue-FinalDownload

3 November 2022

Deadline approaches to apply to Fellowship Programmes

The ARC Fellowship Programme is aimed at clinicians, health and social care practitioners, voluntary sector staff and NHS managers across the East of England. The programme, which has been running since…

1 November 2022

Low Calorie Diet Programme – Martin’s Story

Martin, 34 from Bedfordshire, joined the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The NHS Low Calorie Diet programme is for people who are overweight and…

1 November 2022

Get boosted and get protected this Autumn

NHS colleagues across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are encouraging people to come forward for their COVID-19 Booster and flu vaccination. Community pharmacies, some local GP practices, large vaccination centres and…

28 October 2022

Volunteers on hand at local hospital to offer support and advice

“B” was a young woman who recently attended the emergency department at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) suffering with mental health issues. Following a discussion, the volunteers discovered that “B” was…

27 October 2022

Local health services working to empower young people with ADHD to be a part of…

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Health Services have been working with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to help them manage their own health and wellbeing. Historically, ADHD treatment has…

27 October 2022

VIDEO: All carers urged to get their vaccinations

Nikita Kanani, GP and SRO of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, NHS England is urging paid and unpaid carers to get vaccinated

27 October 2022

Local NHS issues COVID-19 vaccination reminder to those who are immunosuppressed

Health chiefs from NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) are reminding the public of the offer of a COVID-19 booster vaccination to help provide extra protection for…

26 October 2022

Keyworker service is helping to support vulnerable children and young people in Bedfordshire

L is an 18-year-old who was struggling to communicate with autism professionals. She started working with a keyworker, who supported her over a few months. The keyworker service provides the most…

25 October 2022

Redesign of Musculoskeletal (MSK) services

24 October 2022

Fight Off Flu This Winter

Bedford Borough Council is encouraging residents to get their flu jab this winter. Getting vaccinated reduces the chance of catching flu and spreading it to friends, family and others in our…

21 October 2022

Free journeys in vaxi cabs to drive up vaccination rates in Milton Keynes

People living or working in Milton Keynes who are now eligible for a COVID-19 autumn booster but don’t have access to transport, have been reminded that they can take advantage of…

20 October 2022

Free journeys in vaxi cabs to drive up vaccination rates in Bedfordshire

People living or working in Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire who are now eligible for a COVID-19 autumn booster but don’t have access to transport, have been reminded that they can…

19 October 2022

Helping Children Living with Epilepsy in Luton

In 2020, the Integrated Patient-Controlled Medical Record pilot was launched in order to improve the outcomes for children living with epilepsy in Luton. Epilepsy is the most common long-term condition of…

17 October 2022

Cancer

In this episode of BLMK Health Conversation On… we will focus on cancer detection, care of cancer patients and treatment available will focus cancer detection, care of cancer patients and treatment…

13 October 2022

Felix’s Story – NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme

Felix, from Luton, joined the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme following a referral from his GP due to his type 2 diabetes. He believed that this was his last chance of…

13 October 2022

Milestone reaches as NHS services deliver the 100,000TH COVID-19 Autumn booster to local people

The NHS autumn booster campaign in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has got off to a brisk start, with the 100,000th vaccine already having been delivered this week, less than a…

13 October 2022

NHS Invites People 50 and Over For Autumn Boosters And Flu Jabs

Millions of people aged 50 and over will be able to book their autumn booster and flu vaccines tomorrow, as the NHS Covid-19 and flu programmes continue to protect the country…

12 October 2022

Amber alert issued on blood stocks – existing O Neg and O Pos donors asked…

NHS blood “amber alert” triggeredNon urgent elective surgery which requires blood may be postponedExisting O Negative and O Positive donors asked to book in at Blood Donor Centres NHS Blood and…

12 October 2022

Project to support wellbeing of the primary care workforce and patients extended by ICB

After an overwhelmingly successful pilot scheme, NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has extended the ‘Shine Programme’, a unique digital approach to supporting staff and patient…

6 October 2022

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

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…

6 October 2022

Free Journeys in Vaxi Cabs to Drive Up Vaccination Rates in Luton

People living or working in Luton who are now eligible for a COVID-19 or flu vaccination, but don’t have access to transport, have been reminded that they can take advantage of…

5 October 2022

Local NHS is helping to fight climate change one breath at a time

Healthcare professionals in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will be reviewing patients’ inhalers as the NHS continues its aim to become the first net zero carbon health care service by 2040.…

4 October 2022

“It’s absolutely brilliant” – new video shows how care home technology is helping staff keep…

A powerful story of how technology enabled care supports care home staff to keep residents safe and well at night is the focus of a new video from the National Innovation…

30 September 2022

Welcome to the September 2022 issue of Live Well, our partner newsletter for the Bedfordshire,…

BLMK-Live-Well-Newsletter-Sept-2022-final-1Download

30 September 2022

Nassreen’s journey to preventing diabetes in Milton Keynes.

When Nassreen from Milton Keynes was diagnosed as pre-diabetic it came as a shock to her and her family. She had not realised that her diet and lifestyle was impacting her…

23 September 2022

Lung Health Check Programme – Meet Jacqueline from Luton

Jacqueline at 57, has received life changing cancer treatment through the Lung Health Checks programmes.   Jacqueline from Luton is a mum of two grown up children and has a grandchild, she…

21 September 2022

Central Bedfordshire residents invited for lung health check

Central Bedfordshire is the second area in Bedfordshire to be given the opportunity to improve lung cancer outcomes and follows the successful launch in Luton in 2021 of the Targeted Lung…

13 September 2022

Over 65s can now book autumn COVID booster

People aged 65 and over will be able to book their autumn COVID booster through the national booking system from today, meaning five million more people can now top up their…

8 September 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Statement

Dr Rima Makarem, Chair of NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board said: “We send our most sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.” “I know…

8 September 2022

BLMK Begins Rollout of Variant Busting Booster Jab

The NHS has become the first healthcare system in the world to use the next generation, updated COVID vaccines as it kickstarts the autumn booster rollout this September. Following the updated advice…

8 September 2022

New Chief Transformation Officer appointed to Integrated Care Board

Anne Brierley has been appointed as the Chief Transformation Officer of the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board. Anne has held several senior leadership positions throughout her career…

7 September 2022

Millions Now Able To Book Their Autumn Booster

From today, around four million people most vulnerable to Covid-19 will start to be invited to book in their autumn booster vaccine as the NHS’ National Booking Service launches appointments for Autumn boosters. The National Booking Service will go live this…

7 September 2022

Summer of Play served up more than 26,000 FREE meals and activity sessions to MK…

Cllr Jane Carr, Cabinet Member for Inequalities, with children enjoying a free football session at Portfields Primary School. Milton Keynes City Council funded more than 106,000 hours of free activity sessions for…

6 September 2022

MKUH Appoints New Chief Nurse and Director of Patient Care

MKUH is delighted to announce that Yvonne Christley has joined Milton Keynes University Hospital trust as their new Chief Nurse and Director of Patient Care from September 2022. Yvonne, who was…

5 September 2022

Significant improvements made in Luton Children’s Services

In its first full inspection of our Children’s Services since 2020, Ofsted has concluded that significant improvements have been made and children in Luton now receive a much better service from…

2 September 2022

COVID Vaccination Centres to Close for a Week to Focus on Residential Care Homes

COVID vaccination centres across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are set to close for a week to allow NHS staff to offer autumn booster shots in residential care homes, as the…

1 September 2022

Lorraine Mattis appointed as ICB’s associate non-executive member

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated care Board has confirmed the appointment of a new associate non-executive member. Lorraine Mattis Lorraine Mattis has a background in healthcare. A board director…