Consider local walks to boost health during National Walking Month

As part of National Walking Month this May, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been encouraging people to get walking, improving health and wellbeing whilst also…

Comparing numbers with Mum

In Diabetes Prevention Week, Steven Thomas wonders whether blood sugar could become an online game… I am a diabetic.  There, I said it.  I’m not one of those people who…

Women who have had diabetes during pregnancy encouraged to sign up to prevention course

Women with a history of diabetes during pregnancy have been encouraged to come forward to join a free NHS programme designed to help them reduce their risk of the condition…

Local people gather to help redesign community and mental health services

Bold ambitions for the future of community and mental health services took centre stage at a major health event, as partners came together to better understand how we co-design services…

New chief medical officer sets out vision for local care

The new chief medical officer for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has shared his ambitions for improving local health and care. Dr Andrew Rochford, who…

International acclaim for Collaborative Targeted Outreach Programme (CTOP) to build local health and care workforce

A pioneering joint research initiative by the University of Bedfordshire and the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Care Board (ICB) has received international acclaim, winning the Patient and…

Bowel Cancer Screening

Local residents can stay safely in their own home for longer thanks to remote monitoring…

Dozens of local individuals and their families have benefited from a pilot project to test and evaluate how the MiiCare remote monitoring kit can support residents to remain at home…

Changing the culture of dying, together

Claire Bunday, community manager at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub, St John’s Hospice, writes: Claire Bunday, community manager at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub in Bedford. During Dying Matters Awareness…

Celebrating our nurses: honouring compassion, expertise and community care

Marking International Nurses’ Day 2025 on Monday 12 May, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board celebrates the exceptional contributions of nurses everywhere. Nurses are the backbone of health…

Milton Keynes University Hospital celebrates ‘topping out’ of Oak Wards

This week Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) marked the next stage of construction of its new Oak Wards with a ‘topping out’ ceremony. The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Marie…

Local NHS bodies commit to sustainable methods in drive to improve health and wellbeing

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board has made a new pledge to become more sustainable in the provision and delivery of health and care services in the local…

Celebrating midwifery opportunities: Inspiring the next generation of midwives

Following International Day of the Midwife on Monday 5 May, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) continues to highlight the vital work of midwives, as well as…

“You Can’t Catch Death”: Reflections from the Chaplaincy of Sarah Crane

In 2014, a young Sarah Crane walked through the doors of Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) for the first time as its Chaplain. Completely new to healthcare, she was stepping…

Fighting for Life and improved care at the end of life

Brian Daniels is no ordinary playwright. His stories don’t just entertain — they challenge, confront, and compel audiences to think deeply about the kind of society we are, and the…

The apple tree and conversations on dying

As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week, Michelle Summers writes a personal reflection on death and grief: “When I die, bury my ashes under the apple tree in the garden…

Robin Porter appointed as chair of Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board

Robin Porter, former chief executive of Luton Council, has been appointed as the new chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board. He was appointed following a public…

Make time to have conversations on dying

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is encouraging residents to have conversations about death, dying, and grief as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week (5-11 May) and take…

Supplying local care homes with chairs to lift residents after a fall saves staff time…

A chair which helps lift care home residents safely and quickly in an emergency after a fall has been proven to reduce avoidable ambulance callouts and associated healthcare costs, improve…

Longest waits for NHS hospital treatment show further fall

New figures have revealed that the numbers of patients facing the longest waits for treatment at local hospitals have fallen significantly over the last 12 months. The data, published by…

Get the care you need this Easter: advice on NHS opening times over the holiday…

Many families will be looking forward to spending the Easter holiday together, but NHS staff will also enjoy the chance to take a long weekend with loved ones, meaning that…

The importance of mental wellbeing – Stress Awareness Month

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System is marking Stress Awareness Month by encouraging people to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek support to help manage stress and anxiety.…

More appointments are available for patients at local general practices

General practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are offering more appointments than a year ago, according to new figures released by NHS England. The data – covering December 2024…

Patients urged to order repeat prescriptions before holiday weekends

People who take regular medications have been urged to check they have sufficient supplies to last the long Easter weekend (Good Friday, 18 April to Easter Monday, 21 April) and…

ICB welcomes prospect of better health through boosts to local economy

Health chiefs have expressed their delight at the prospect of better health for local people, following two major economic announcements in recent days. An artist’s impression of the proposed development…

Breaking down barriers: Breast screening awareness event empowers neurodiverse adults

Autistic adults and those with learning disabilities were invited to attend an event to learn more about breast screening and the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer. An X-ray…

Innovative mentoring programme transforms leadership

A groundbreaking mentoring initiative at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is reshaping workplace culture and transforming leadership in a bid to…

New children’s vaccination catch-up clinics announced for Easter holidays and beyond

A list of forthcoming catch-up clinics has been published, for children who have not received all of their routine immunisations. Parents have been encouraged to check their child’s vaccination record…

New Women’s Health Network launched in Luton

Luton’s Women’s Health Network has been officially launched – putting women’s health at the forefront of the agenda and providing help and support to 112,000 women who live in the…

Advance Care Planning

X-Rays

“Last chance” call over flu vaccinations

Thousands of eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for flu vaccinations have been reminded that they have only a few days left…

Youth Parliament Members urge NHS Board to innovate and prevent illness

Young voices took centre stage at the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) meeting on 21 March, as members of the Central Bedfordshire Youth Parliament shared…

Women’s Health Summit to launch new Women’s Health Network

A Women’s Health Summit will be held this week to mark the launch ofa new Women’s Health Network for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK). BLMK Integrated Care Board (ICB)…

Women unite for breast cancer awareness on International Women’s Day

Demonstrating a strong sense of community solidarity, women from Bedford’s Caribbean community gathered at Fujifilm in Bedford this week to mark International Women’s Day.  The event focused on raising awareness…

Robotic pets provide comfort and companionship for local residents

With funding from NHS England, the Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is evaluating the impact of RoboPets on adults receiving social…

BLMK performance higher than regional and national averages for meeting key A&E target this winter

Despite a challenging winter, NHS services in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK) performed better than the regional and national average for four-hour waits in A&E whilst also making good…

Local care homes embrace technology to help manage their residents’ pain

In a new video from the Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership, local care home staff explain how facial recognition app PainChek…

Celebrating International Women’s Day by honouring female leaders and their remarkable contributions

In a series of webinars celebrating International Women’s Day (08 March), Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board this week highlighted the invaluable contributions of women in healthcare and…

System Insight Network

We want to ensure that experiences and ideas from our residents, partners and communities inform and shape health and care services in our area, helping with our mission to improve…

What we have heard at the System Insight Network 

28 January 2025 – The NHS 10 Year Plan 28 January 2025 – The NHS 10 Year Plan On 28 January 2025, we held the first System Insight Network, bringing…

Empowering women to know the signs and get checked for ovarian cancer

As part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (March 2025), a senior doctor is urging women in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to be understand the signs of ovarian cancer. With…

Local NHS waiting lists fall, new figures show

The number of people waiting for NHS treatment in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has fallen, new figures show. The data – published by NHS England – reveal that the…

Thousands more emergency dental appointments to be made available in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Thousands of patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will soon enjoy greater access to urgent and emergency dental care, following a Government announcement. Over 6,000 extra appointments will be…

Remote monitoring toolkit reassures care home staff, managers, residents, and their families

Claire Croucher runs two care homes for Precious Homes in Milton Keynes. Both sites care for adults with learning difficulties and autism, and have been using Whzan since 2021. Claire…

NHS App

How to set up an NHS Account (to access the NHS App)  What you can do on the NHS App – Set up NHS login NHS app toolkit  Via the…

Women in East of England could get cancer detected earlier as a result of first-ever NHS…

Breast cancer cases in the East of England could be detected earlier as a major new NHS drive begins, supporting thousands more women in the region to attend potentially life-saving breast…

Embrace the outdoors this half term with some family fun

A senior NHS leader is encouraging families to get out and about this February half term despite the chilly weather. Engaging in outdoor activities not only boosts physical health and…

Parents urged to catch up on children’s vaccinations at clinics this February half term

Parents of children who have not received all of their routine immunisations have been urged to attend a series of catch-up sessions this February half term. Dates have now been…

Act to help prevent cancer during Cancer Prevention Action Week

A senior NHS doctor in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes is calling on all residents to look at their lifestyles to help reduce the chances of getting cancer, during Cancer…

Look after your heart health this Valentine’s Day

Elizabeth Barrett Browning famously asked her beloved: “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,” but as Valentine’s Day arrives, a local NHS leader has reminded men and…

RoboPets

DiSC programme menu » DiSC homepage | Projects | Meet the team and contact | Events | Annual Review Around 760 RoboPets are being used across a range of local…

PainChek™

DiSC programme menu » DiSC homepage | Projects | Meet the team and contact | Events | Annual Review More than 1,200 PainChek™ licenses are live across 26 care locations…

NHS urges eligible people to get free RSV vaccination

NHS England has launched a new campaign to encourage uptake of free RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccinations which will be available from 10 February 2025. RSV causes common colds and…

Former NHS apprentices encourage others to take up training opportunities during National Apprenticeship Week

Health care workers in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have urged others to follow their career dreams, as the NHS marks National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February 2025). The role of…

It Is Time To Talk

The NHS is calling on residents of Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK) to join the nation’s biggest mental health conversation on Time to Talk Day (February 6) Time To…

BLMK Voices

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Transforming Community Healthcare with Pharmacy First.

Introduction: In an effort to provide quicker, more accessible healthcare solutions, pharmacists are revolutionising community healthcare through the Pharmacy First initiative. By prioritising patient care and offering immediate consultations for…

Update on Healthcare Services in Leighton Buzzard – 31 January 2025

At the end of 2024, the ICB was pleased to update residents in Leighton Buzzard on the progress made in improving local healthcare services.  This included the publication of an…

New data show more GP appointments on offer for local patients

New data from NHS England have shown a significant increase in the availability of general practice appointments for patients across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes between September and November 2024.…

Treatment starts at Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre at Milton Keynes

Today (Monday 27 January 2025) the first patients will begin receiving radiotherapy at the new Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre @ Milton Keynes.  The new centre is run by an…

Pharmacy First consultations up by 60% as winter illnesses bite

New data released by NHS England have shown an increase of over 60% in the number of people using the Pharmacy First scheme in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes over…

NHS announces series of talks to mark LGBT History Month

The experiences of LGBT patients and staff, the story of HIV in the UK, and an overview of LGBT characters in myth and legend are among topics to be covered…

Statement about Leighton Road Surgery, 1 Leighton Rd, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1LB

We want to provide an update on GP services at Leighton Road Surgery, following concerning Facebook posts which were published on Monday 20 January 2025. We can confirm that GP…

NHS prevents over 1,800 emergency responses by treating patients closer to home

Over 1,800 emergency responses in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) have been averted, with patients treated closer to home, following the introduction of a new system to reduce unnecessary…

Local people banish the winter blues on Move-It Monday

People of all ages across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will be fighting back against the cold and dreary weather today (Monday 20 January), as part of a physical activity…

Patients to get more services outside hospital as Bedford practice moves three sites to new…

A large Bedford general practice is celebrating after completing its move to new premises, opening up new options for care and treatment outside hospital. The De Parys Group has opened…

Stay warm and stay safe this winter with NHS services

Whatever the weather throws at us this winter, and with the forecast remaining cold for at least the next week, it’s good to know that NHS services are available when…

Shopping in Centre MK? Come and meet us…

Shoppers hitting the January sales at Centre:MK this weekend will have the opportunity to meet our team as Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board host a health and…

PainChek™ case studies

The Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership has been supporting care homes in Central Bedfordshire to adopt PainChek™ – a facial recognition…

Beat the cost of living crisis with help towards your health costs

Although most NHS treatment is free, there are still some costs you might need to pay. With many households still struggling with the cost of living, however, you may be…

Preparing for the cold snap

As the UK is expecting cold temperatures over the next week with the possibility of snow and ice, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is urging…

Ditch the blues and get moving

As January drags on and festive cheer feels like a distant memory, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is encouraging people to take part in Move It Monday,…

An update on weight loss medication, tirzepatide

On 23 December 2024 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published the Technology Appraisal in relation to tirzepatide (Mounjaro™) which is a medicine for managing obesity. This…

Walk-in winter vaccinations to continue despite closure of booking service for flu and COVID-19

Local residents who have yet to take up the offer of free vaccinations against flu and COVID-19 this winter have been reminded that they can still access them at venues…

Acoustic Monitoring

DiSC programme menu » DiSC homepage | Projects | Meet the team and contact | Events | Annual Review 343 residents supported across 12 care homes Acoustic Monitoring case studies…

Remote monitoring toolkits are reassuring families of local residents receiving home care

The Whzan Blue Box contains various wireless, portable instruments which enable care providers to identify signs of deterioration and illness earlier. Through regular readings of vital signs such as pulse,…

Get the care you need this Christmas

Most NHS services in the community will close for at least some of the Christmas period, but a senior local doctor has issued guidance on how patients can access care…

Advice for parents on common childhood winter illness

A senior local nurse has urged parents to prepare for common illnesses which children often experience during the winter months. Understanding these winter ailments and how to manage them is…

Remember to order your repeat prescriptions in time for Christmas

A senior local pharmacist is urging residents to ensure that they have enough supply of any medications they need to last them over the festive period. With many practices and…

NHS flu vaccination campaign set to hit key milestone

Local NHS workers are expected to hit a landmark sometime in the next few days, with the delivery of the 250,000th flu vaccination of the winter in Bedfordshire, Luton and…

NHS App roadshow comes to Bedford

Prominent Bedford Borough councillors and charity chief executives were among those who joined forces with staff from the region’s integrated care board on Friday (6 December) to show local residents…

New Medical Chief appointed at BLMK Integrated Care Board

Dr Andrew Rochford has been appointed Chief Medical Officer for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, replacing Dr Ian Reckless, who has held the position on an interim…

Get the care you need this Christmas

Pharmacies opening on Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day) Bedford Borough Broadway Pharmacy, Broadway Pharmacy, 1 The Broadway, Bedford, MK40 2TJ (10:00am – 2:00pm) Herbert & Herbert, 88 High Street, Clapham,…

Advice for parents

If you feel that your child is unwell, or you are unable to care for them, seek medical help. This could be your local pharmacist, NHS111, GP, an urgent treatment…

Warm up and connect at welcoming winter spaces

As winter approaches, a network of warm, welcoming spaces is set to open across Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes to support those facing the cold weather and rising cost of…

Local doctor issues call to get protected against winter viruses ahead of Christmas festivities

A senior local doctor has urged eligible residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to get protected against flu and COVID-19 now to enjoy a worry-free Christmas season. It can…

Eligible residents reminded to book in for RSV vaccine

A senior local doctor is reminding eligible residents to book in for the RSV vaccine.  This is a new vaccination, available for the first time this year, to those who…

A NEW expert team is injecting a genetic boost into personalised cancer care across the East…

Six Genomic Clinical Practitioners are working with hospitals and care teams to ensure that local patients can benefit from huge advances in genomic medicine. Genomic medicine aims to transform cancer prevention,…

Data show more general practice appointments in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes

New figures from NHS England show another big rise in the number of appointments offered at general practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Practices in the region have provided…

Community-led Learning Action Network launched to tackle heart attacks and strokes

Gypsies, Irish Travellers and people of Black African, Caribbean and Indian heritage have joined a Learning Action Network, designed to find powerful, community-led solutions to reducing heart attacks and strokes.…

New triage system allows patients to see the right professional at the first time of…

Many patients at general practices across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are benefiting from a time-saving process which helps them to be seen and treated sooner. The ‘total triage’ system…

Support for people struggling with the rising cost of living

Save Money with a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) If you know you’ll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment…

Leading for Sustainability in BLMK – a burning ambition for change

On 15 November, delegates from across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes joined a Leading for Sustainability Summit at the Christian Centre in Milton Keynes. Led by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton…

Be prepared: Residents encouraged to stock up medicine cabinet ahead of Winter

A senior local pharmacist is urging people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to make sure they have ample supplies of key medication and medical supplies to stay well this…

Be prepared for Winter with Pharmacy First

A leading local pharmacist is encouraging residents to make use of the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses and condition this winter and avoid unnecessary visits to hospital. Most community…

Local health and care board set to sign up to Armed Forces Covenant

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is set to become the latest local organisation to sign up to a national scheme guaranteeing fair treatment for current and former…

Autism Diagnostic

Leading for an Environmentally Sustainable Health and Care System

Creating the next Green Plan for BLMK The final version of the refreshed Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Green Plan was approved by ICB Board on 27 June 2025.…