Community Equipment Loan Service

Community equipment loan services are essential for people who need social care support at home. They help them live with more independence and dignity. NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes…

Breaking barriers to healthcare

The Breaking Barriers Project is a set of video guides to help autistic people or those with a learning disability prepare for health appointments. The videos have been co-produced by…

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend – Travel disruption

We anticipate increased demand to our services at the L&D in light of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend taking place in Stockwood Park from Friday 24 through to Sunday 26…

GPs use new health data sources to identify patients at risk of disease, leading to…

GPs in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are taking proactive steps to prevent disease, thanks to new ways of working which can help clinicians identify people who are at risk…

Case study: Oliver McGowan Training on Learning Disability and Autism

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to…

“Move more for mental health” call in Mental Health Awareness Week

Senior local doctors are encouraging residents quite literally to take steps to improve their wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), to match the theme for this year’s campaign:…

Research funding awards made to local health workers

Three innovative research projects have been announced as the first recipients of a grant programme which aims to improve knowledge and understanding of health inequalities in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton…

Health research and innovation conference to be held in Luton

NHS workers and academic researchers will join forces for a conference on tackling inequalities through research and innovation at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton on Monday 13 May. The…

International Nurses Day 2024: Our nurses, our future

International Nurses Day is celebrated worldwide on 12 May, the day that Florence Nightingale was born, to commemorate all nurses and the contribution that they make to society and this…

Bedford Borough residents invited to help shape work to tackle health inequalities

Communities across Bedford Borough have been invited to learn more about a landmark report on health inequalities, as part of a series of events taking place across the local area.…

BLMK inequalities week

Inequalities Week will take place on 13-17 May and we’re running a series of webinars to share some of the work that is taking place across the system to reduce…

Parents urged to catch up on children’s vaccinations at clinics this summer

Families with children under five years of age whose vaccinations are not up to date have been invited to attend one of a series of clinics which have been announced…

COVID-19 Spring 2024 Vaccination Programme Update      

The COVID-19 spring programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill, who will benefit the most from a further vaccine dose. It is important…

Local NHS organisations take the lead as world marks Earth Day

As the world marks the annual Earth Day (Monday 22 April), NHS organisations in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have shown the way forward by reducing the use of plastics…

Monday 22 April 2024 is Earth Day  

This year’s theme is: Planet vs Plastic; 60% reduction in production by 2040 Plastic surrounds us everywhere, from the clothes we wear, to the food we eat and the toiletries…

Local GP urges eligible patients to get Spring COVID jabs

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who are eligible for a COVID-19 spring vaccination have been advised that they can now book an appointment or attend a walk-in clinic,…

Tackling health inequalities in the Roma community

Translation services, better communication and an understanding of how to access health and care services could break down barriers and improve the health of Roma people, according to a report…

Leighton Buzzard Update – 05 April 2024

In our last update in February 2024, we were pleased to discuss the Winter Pressure Clinics delivered in the Town. These clinics, which finished at the end of March 2024,…

Bedford Warm Homes scheme improves health and reduces carbon emissions

53 households with residents who have a chronic health condition in Bedford Borough have benefited from a local scheme to enhance their domestic fuel efficiency, which will not only improve…

New video guides will help autistic people understand health and social care appointments

Autistic people can now get a better understanding of what to expect from screening appointments and other common NHS experiences thanks to an innovative series of videos created and produced…

Parents urged to catch up on children’s vaccinations at clinics this Easter

Parents of children who have not received all of their routine immunisations have been urged to attend a series of catch-up sessions during the Easter holidays, as dates have been…

£1.1m awarded for digital solutions to improve care for local residents

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System’s (BLMK ICS) Digitising Social Care (DiSC) programme is celebrating the success of its application for the latest wave of the NHS England’s…

“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…

Local people urged to order repeat prescriptions before the Easter break

People who take regular medications have been urged to order their repeat prescriptions in good time ahead of the long Easter weekend (Good Friday, 29 March to Easter Monday, 1…

What is primary care? Central Bedfordshire

9 May 2024 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm If you live in Central Bedfordshire, join us to talk about: How 24/7 primary care is provided where you live How…

What is primary care? Central Bedfordshire

8 May 2024 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm If you live in Central Bedfordshire, join us to talk about: How 24/7 primary care is provided where you live How…

Free blood pressure checks now available in pharmacies for adults over 40

Adults aged 40 and over are being urged to take up the opportunity of a free blood pressure check at their nearest participating pharmacy, following the launch of a new…

‘Be aware of symptoms of kidney disease’ call on World Kidney Day

One person in 10 in the UK is living with chronic kidney disease, a figure which rises to one in five among people aged over 80.  People in Bedfordshire, Luton…

New Chief Medical Officer to join Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board

Dr Ian Reckless will be joining Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board as Chief Medical Officer on 15 April, prior to the retirement of Dr Sarah Whiteman later…

Funding win supports digital records to improve care for local residents

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System’s Digitising Social Care (DiSC) programme has secured £7,500 of funding to research how to best support care homes for vulnerable residents to…

NHS Talking Therapies service in Luton

An NHS Talking Therapies service in Luton has been recognised for its exceptional quality of service by receiving accreditation from the national professional body for psychiatrists. Total Wellbeing Luton, which…

Women urged to think about female health technologies on International Women’s Day

A senior local doctor is urging women in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to use International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March) to learn more about the digital tools available to…

Patients get more choices, to help cut waiting times

A new NHS social media campaign will inform patients referred to consultants or other specialists about their right to choose where to be seen. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram users in…

Pharmacy First Toolkit

Purpose of the toolkit The Pharmacy First Toolkit is a resource designed to support the implementation of the Pharmacy First service within our Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes integrated care…

Innovative digital tool improves care and safety for local care home residents

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is supporting local care providers to take advantage of digital tools and systems like Proxy Access so they can provide the…

New service to tackle pregnancy-related pelvic health issues

Thousands more pregnant women and those who have given birth in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will soon be able to receive support to prevent and treat pregnancy-related incontinence and…

What is primary care? Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

18 March 2024 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm We are holding 4 in person events and 1 online event.If you live in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes, join us…

What is primary care? Luton

22 March 2024 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm We are holding 4 in person events and 1 online event.If you live in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes, join us…

What is primary care? Luton

21 March 2024 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm We are holding 4 in person events and 1 online event.If you live in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes, join us…

What is primary care? Bedford Borough

18 March 2024 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm We are holding 4 in person events and 1 online event.If you live in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes, join us…

What is primary care? Central Bedfordshire

12 March 2024 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm We are holding 4 in person events and 1 online event.If you live in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes, join us…

Potential new blood donors urged to come forward, to help save lives

A new campaign is urging people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to consider becoming a blood donor, as NHS Blood and Transplant reveals that it needs over 140,000 people…

Primary Care in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

We are inviting residents across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to join us to talk about what primary care is and how it is changing.  We are holding in-person events…

New NHS campaign will encourage people to get help with common mental health problems

A new campaign has been launched in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to inform local people about dedicated NHS services which can help with common mental health problems. NHS Talking…

Hundreds of local families flock to catch-up vaccination clinics amid continuing measles alert in England

Hundreds of children and young people and their families have taken up the option of catch-up vaccinations at a series of half term clinics in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes…

Think Pharmacy First: don’t let a health concern get worse

Your local pharmacist offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients…

Pilot programme gives volunteers a pathway to join East of England Ambulance Service

From volunteers to a career at the ambulance service, Matt Sharp (left) and Grant Harvey who have secured jobs at EEAST after completing the Volunteer to Career programme; they are…

February 2024 – Update on Health and Care Services in Leighton Buzzard

1.We are pleased to confirm that additional clinics to respond to winter pressures continue in the Town, led by hard working primary care teams. Appointments are booked on the day…

“Please use NHS services wisely” call as new NHS strike goes ahead

Senior doctors in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have again warned of potential disruption to local health services over the next week, as further industrial action by junior doctors is…

ICB appoints Board-level champion to oversee progress on DennyReview health and inclusion

Lorraine Sunduza, interim Chief Executive of East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), has been appointed Board champion to support the system response to the Denny Review by the Bedfordshire, Luton…

Look after your heart health this Valentine’s Day

Tennyson famously wrote that “In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” but as Valentine’s Day arrives, local doctors have urged men and women of…

Parents urged to use half term as chance to catch up on MMR vaccinations

Parents of children who are not fully vaccinated against measles have been urged to use this February half term as an opportunity to get them the protection they need, as…

NHS waiting list in East of England falls for third month in a row, thanks…

The NHS waiting list in the East of England fell in December for the third month running, despite ongoing industrial action and winter pressures continuing to hit the region’s health…

Thousands in the East of England take the ‘learn while you earn’ career choice of…

More than 2,400 new apprentices started with the NHS in the East of England last year providing more opportunities for people to build rewarding careers in the NHS, whilst boosting…

Take control of your health with the NHS App

The NHS App offers almost everyone a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS digital services, and over 33 million people have already downloaded it. The NHS…

Millions more dental appointments to be offered under NHS Dental Recovery Plan

Patients will benefit from millions more NHS dental appointments over the next year, thanks to a major new plan to ensure easier and faster access to NHS dental care across…

Pharmacy first

Your local pharmacy is a good first point of call for medical advice if you are feeling unwell. In January, we introduced the new Pharmacy First Service, which allows community…

Local NHS waiting lists are down, as are numbers waiting over six weeks for tests

NHS waiting lists in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are getting shorter, with over 2,000 fewer people waiting for treatment in November 2023 than in the previous month. New figures…

Game-changing heartburn health checks rolled out to detect cancer

A revolutionary new test to help the earlier detection of oesophageal cancer (cancer of the food pipe) is to be rolled out in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, in a…

Start a conversation about mental health on Time To Talk Day

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is encouraging local people to start conversations about their own and others’ mental health on Time To Talk Day (1…

Pharmacies in the East of England provide wider range of treatments to the public

People in the East of England can now be treated for a range of common conditions at their high street pharmacy without the need to see a GP first, as…

Research and innovation fund seeks applications for new award

Staff working in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes integrated care system are invited to apply for an award of up to £15,000, following the launch of a new research and…

Goldington Road Surgery, Bedford

Statement on Goldington Road Surgery, 12 Goldington Road, Bedford. We have informed patients of Goldington Road Surgery in Bedford, that Dr Vidya Das has resigned her contract and arrangements are…

Carers information

What makes you a carer? A carer is anyone who provides unpaid care for a family member or friend who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an…

How did you fare with your New Year resolutions?

We’re one whole month into 2024, and lots of us will already have given up on the resolutions we made as Big Ben rang in the New Year 31 days…

“Please use the NHS considerately,” urge local NHS leaders as services remain busy

With health provision in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes still under intense pressure due to admissions and demand during the winter season, senior local doctors have repeated their call for…

Women’s health and wellbeing events encourage self-care

A series of Women’s Wellbeing events at community venues in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes is helping women of all ages to improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. Each event,…

City Council leads new project to expand community clubs in Bletchley

The first in a wave of new community clubs aimed at connecting local people with social and wellbeing activities has opened in Bletchley thanks to a partnership led by Milton…

New Non Executive Director opportunity at Bedfordshire Hospitals

Bedfordshire Hospitals is looking for a new Non-Executive Director to join the Trust. As a Non-Executive Director, you will work alongside our Chair, Richard Sumray, other non-executive, and executive directors…

“Last chance” call over COVID-19 vaccinations

Thousands of eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for COVID-19 vaccinations have been reminded that they have only a few days left…

Local men are advised on prostate enlargement, following announcement about HM the King’s forthcoming treatment

Following the announcement by Buckingham Palace that His Majesty the King is to undergo his treatment today (Friday 26 January) for an enlarged prostate, men in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton…

Research pilot set to improve experiences of local people with diabetes

A pioneering research project is set to make a difference to the lives of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, following the launch of a partnership programme which will…

‘Take up your screening opportunity’ call as Cervical Cancer Prevention Week begins

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is highlighting the benefits of cervical screening during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22-28 January) and reminding people that cervical screening…

When to send children to school, or keep them home

With children now back at school and levels of winter illnesses including flu, COVID-19 and norovirus continuing to rise, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is…

‘Blue Monday’ isn’t real, but seasonal mental health struggles often are

You don’t have to be taken in by the hype of ‘Blue Monday’ but, for many people, the winter can be a difficult time of year.  Dark mornings and long,…

Leighton Buzzard Public Update – January 2024

Update on the development of the Outline Business Case for additional health services in Leighton Buzzard In our last update in December, we were pleased to share news of our…

Digital innovation helps local care homes safely manage medications

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is supporting local care providers to take advantage of digital tools and systems like Proxy Access so they can provide the…

Digital records help care homes to work smarter and safer 

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is supporting local care providers to take advantage of digital tools and systems like Digital Social Care Records (DSCR) so they…

Junior doctors’ strike ends, but services will take time to return to normal

Health services in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will take time to get back to normal following the end of the longest strike in NHS history, a senior local doctor…

What we do brilliantly

Check your children’s vaccination status, as measles cases show worrying rise

Parents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been alerted to the risk of measles, as cases have increased on the eve of children’s return to school after the Christmas…

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 crisis, however, you may…

Health advice issued for this weekend’s Cold Health Alert

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to plan now for a cold snap, following a warning about incoming weather conditions this weekend and into next week.…

Planning for Pregnancy

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (BLMK ICS) has commissioned Healthwatch Bedford Borough to support their aim of improving outcomes for women and other people who are thinking…

“Please use NHS services wisely” call as new NHS strike goes ahead

NHS leaders in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have warned of further potential disruption to local health services over the next week, as new industrial action by junior doctors is…

New Year resolutions: NHS help is on hand for those wanting a healthier lifestyle in…

Many people promise to turn over a new leaf as another New Year dawns, especially if they’ve overdone it a little while enjoying Christmas festivities with family or friends. New…

Industrial action, February 2024: get the help you need

We expect all NHS services to be extremely busy during industrial action by junior doctors, from 24-28 February. Please help us to help you by seeking advice from the most…

Get the care you need this Christmas: advice on NHS opening times over the festive…

We all depend on our local health and care services through the year, but their staff also need a break over the holiday period, so that they can spend time…

Get the help you need during the current industrial action

We expect all NHS services to be extremely busy during industrial action by junior doctors, from 20-23 December and from 3-9 January. Please help us to help you by seeking…

“Be prepared for minor illness this winter,” NHS urges local residents

With health services under pressure due to high winter demand, the NHS is asking people to think carefully about how they use the NHS and to prepare to treat minor…

New statistics show more patients are being seen in our general practices

New data on appointments in general practices, published by NHS England, show that patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes were able to book over 551,000 consultations in October 2023,…

Further NHS strike plans prompt new call for residents to use services wisely

New industrial action by junior doctors, due to begin this week, has prompted NHS leaders to warn of further potential disruption to local health services, with patients and the public…

Live Well Newsletter Issue 7 2023

Welcome to our seventh issue of 2023 of Live Well, the partner newsletter for the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership. To be added to our mailing…

150 local people avoid a hospital stay, thanks to new technology

Around 150 people in Milton Keynes have been kept out of hospital so far this year, thanks to the introduction of an innovative new Virtual Ward (Hospital at Home) project…

NHS urges local people to ‘know your risk’ in Diabetes Awareness Month

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to check their individual risk of type 2 diabetes, as Diabetes Awareness Month (November) draws to a close. The NHS…

Leighton Buzzard Public Update – December 2023

In our last update on work in Leighton Buzzard, we were pleased to confirm that a “focus group” style event would be held in the town in early November with…

New technology helping people to stay safely in their own homes

20 people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are being helped to live safely in their own homes, thanks to an innovative wireless device which remotely monitors a person’s vital…

MiiCare helps local people to live independently for longer

MiiCare is an innovative wireless device that remotely monitors someone’s vital signs, hydration levels, sleep patterns and wellbeing to prevent falls, an infection or a hospital stay. Having these timely…

“Don’t let COVID or flu spoil your holiday season,” NHS urges residents as Christmas approaches

Eligible residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to beat the rush and come forward now for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, ahead of an expected surge in…