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, July 2025: get the help you need

We expect all NHS services to be extremely busy during industrial action by resident doctors, from 25 to 30 July. Please help us to help you by seeking advice from…

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…

Celebrating exceptional nurses: Queen’s Nurse Awards honour local nurses

Two outstanding nurses in Luton have received the prestigious Queen’s Nurse (QN) title for their contributions to healthcare. The Queen’s Nurse title is a mark of their commitment to nursing…

“Be clear on cancer” call in Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month – and people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been alerted to the symptoms to look out for. The pancreas is an organ…

Look after yourself this Self-Care Week!

This week (13-19 November) is Self-Care Week, and one of the region’s top doctors has reminded people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to take time for themselves to improve…

“Get your COVID and flu jabs this winter,” older people urged as cases rise

Over-65s in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been reminded that it’s not too late to get COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, as the number of cases continues to rise across…

UK’s largest health research project opens new sites and calls for more volunteers to step…

People in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to join the UK’s largest health research programme as it opens new sites in Milton Keynes and Bedford to go…

NHS urges people in BLMK to come forward for Life Saving Cancer Checks

Residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of potential lung cancer and to come forward for targeted screening if they…

Careers in learning disability nursing highlighted as part of national event

Those thinking about a career in the NHS have been urged to consider specialising in learning disabilities, as the UK marks Learning Disability Nurse Day (Wednesday 1 November). Learning disability…

Flu and COVID jab reminders to start arriving this week

Eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will begin to receive reminders from today. COVID-19 and flu vaccination…

Hundreds of residents share their perspective on Digital Strategy for health and care services

Together, NHS and local authority partners at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Health and Care Partnership designed a Digital Strategy – their plan for using digital tools and services…

Update on Leighton Buzzard Outline Business Case

Last month, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Care Board published an initialupdate on the Outline Business Case for additional health and care services in Leighton Buzzard.We are pleased…

Celebrating ‘Saluting Our Sisters’ in Black History Month

As we enter Black History Month this year, I want to share my personal journey, which is deeply rooted in African heritage, Caribbean culture, and British upbringing. It’s a journey…

Boosting Health During Cancer Recovery in BLMK

A cancer rehabilitation programme in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) is helping patients to improve their physical and mental health throughout their journey through cancer recovery. Staying physically and…

ICB staff get stuck into community events

NHS workers from the local Integrated Care Board have spent the weekend in the community as they got stuck into two big local events in Luton and Milton Keynes. Chief…

New video explains how sharing health and care records helps provide a better service for…

Share for Care is a confidential, electronic system for sharing health and care records to improve health and care across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Information is brought together from…

Kingfisher Surgery, Newport Pagnell FAQs

The GP Services at Kingfisher Surgery in Newport Pagnell are currently provided by Operose Health on a fixed-term contract which is due to end on 31 March 2024.  We are…

Kingfisher Surgery, Newport Pagnell

In February, we wrote to all residents who were registered with Kingfisher surgery to let them know that following a re-procurement of their GP’s General Medical Services (GMS) contract, their…

Connecting more of the Capital’s neighbours to the London Care Record

To support more joined up care for people from outside London who have been referred for treatment and care in the Capital more neighbouring areas will be connected to the…

Pregnant women urged to get their flu jab this winter

Pregnant women in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to come forward for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations this winter. COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments are now available for…

Digital Social Care Records bring benefits to local care home and its residents

Noticing a shift towards digital record keeping within the care industry, a care home in Bedford decided to trial Digital Social Care Records (DSCR) with its staff. DSCRs allow care…

New strategy to reduce suicides could save up to 80 local lives each year

As World Mental Health Day (Tuesday 10 October) approaches, NHS leaders in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have welcomed the publication of a new national strategy which could prevent many…

Raizer chair cuts A&E visits by local care home residents

An emergency chair which helps lift people after falls has led to a 27% reduction in the number of people admitted to hospital unnecessarily – saving the NHS more than…

NHS invites people in Luton and Central Bedfordshire for life-saving lung cancer checks

More than 39,000 people across Luton and Central Bedfordshire have been invited for a potentially life-saving free lung check, as part of the biggest programme to improve early lung cancer…

New NHS strike action begins, with residents urged to use services wisely

Industrial action by both junior and consultant doctors which began this morning has prompted NHS leaders to warn of further potential disruption to local health services, with patients and the…

Kathy’s award triumph rewards her innovative cancer work in Luton

There were celebrations last night (Thursday 28 September) for a local NHS worker after she was presented with a prestigious national award for her innovation in researching the experience of…

Stoptober: “When you stop smoking, good things start to happen”

Stoptober is back this October, calling on smokers in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to join the 2.5million others across England who have made a quit attempt with the campaign…

Live Well Newsletter Issue 6 2023

Welcome to our sixth 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…

Sustainability Resources for Staff and Partners

Environmental Sustainability Healthcare Resources for NHS staff and partners The BLMKGreen Plan What is sustainablehealthcare? CaseStudies At Workand at Home TrainingOpportunities UsefulResources Do you work in the health and care…

Inspirational local nurse shortlisted for national award

Local nurse Blenda Correya has been shortlisted for an award at the prestigious Nursing Times Workforce Summit and Awards 2023 after colleagues nominated her for her inspirational work. Blenda was…

Environmental Sustainability and the BLMK Green Plan

People, Places, Planet: BLMK CARESImproving health and wellbeing in harmony with the environment The BLMK Green Plan What is sustainable healthcare? Resources for NHSstaff and partners Greener Prescribing in BLMK…

New community garden in Dunstable provides a path to better mental health

A brand-new community garden has opened in Dunstable to give local people the opportunity to improve their mental and physical wellbeing through volunteering in a natural setting.  The project has…

Share for Care: Providing residents with better, safer and quicker care

Residents across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are receiving better, safer and quicker care thanks to the confidential, electronic record sharing system called Share for Care. Share for Care enables…

Falls Awareness Week shines focus on health and independence for older people

Last year alone, 4,445 individuals aged over 65 were admitted to hospitals in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes due to falls. This averages more than 10 patients every day, with…

Health and social care support worker careers roadshow rolls in next week

A careers roadshow highlighting support worker jobs in the NHS and adult social care is on its way to two venues in Luton and Dunstable town centres next week. There…

Adults can now book COVID-19 vaccinations, with flu campaign also under way

For some people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant.  But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, they can…

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

New strike date announcements by both junior and consultant doctors for September have prompted NHS leaders to warn of further potential disruption to local health services, with patients and the…

Virtual Wards helping to reduce pressure on healthcare services in Milton Keynes

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) has been using Virtual Wards since December 2022 to provide support to residents in Milton Keynes and further afield. Provided by…

Denny Review

The Denny Review commissioned studies by Healthwatch Bedford Borough, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, Healthwatch Luton and Healthwatch Milton Keynes, working in partnership with grassroots VCSE organisations where trusted relationships were held.…

Community pharmacy

Find out about all the things a community pharmacist and their team can do to help you meet your healthcare needs. Community pharmacists work alongside your GP to help you…

Update on Leighton Buzzard Outline Business Case

Update – September 2023: Development of an Outline Business Case for additional Health and Care Services in Leighton Buzzard The ICB has committed to providing six-weekly updates on its work…

Annual flu vaccination programme gets under way as children return to school

Parents have been urged to get their children immunised against flu, as the annual vaccination campaign gets under way. Children from Reception to Year 11 will be offered a vaccination…

Vaccination changes mean full protection against HPV has never been easier

It’s now easier than ever for most young people to get vaccinated against a common infection which can cause cancers in both men and women, following changes to the human…

Celebration for Kathy as she is nominated for national health award

A popular NHS worker is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national award for her innovation in cancer research in Luton. Kathy Nelson, head of the cancer network for…

Audit Chair appointed to Integrated Care Board

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has confirmed Vineeta Manchanda as its newly appointed Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair. Vineeta brings strong financial management skills…

NHS consultant doctors set to strike again this week

NHS consultant doctors are due to undertake strike action this week, and senior health service leaders are again urging the public to choose services wisely during the industrial action. Consultants…

School and college leavers invited to check out NHS and care careers as results day…

With tens of thousands of young people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes set to receive their A Level, NVQ and GCSE results over the next week, school and college…

Virtual Wards

Virtual Wards provide residents with the level of safe and effective care that they need – predominantly from the comfort of their usual place of residence, rather than the hospital.…

Helping people to register with a GP after Wenlock Surgery closure

Over 3,500 patients from Wenlock Street Surgery in Luton have already registered with a new GP in the first two weeks following its closure.But 99 people – representing less than…