Speak out to save Bedford A&E and maternity

Health chiefs have produced a ‘discussion paper’ on the future of Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Luton & Dunstable.

But the ideas put forward for public discussion include:

• Reducing A&E services in at least one of the three hospitals, ‘especially overnight’;

• Removing consultant-led maternity care in at least one hospital, meaning only ‘low-risk births’ could take place locally and forcing a large number of mothers to give birth away from their community at more distant hospitals;

• Reducing paediatric care at two of the hospitals, and concentrating care for the most unwell children at one of the three sites.

Mayor Dave said: “We need to speak out as a community against these proposals before it is too late.

“They could mean the end of Bedford Hospital as we know it, and it is only by delivering a resounding message that we will not accept it that we will succeed in changing minds.

“So I’m calling for people to respond to the paper and let STP leaders know what they think about cuts in urgent care services.”

The BLMK Discussion Paper has been produced as part of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Sustainability and Transformation Plan (BLMK STP).

Have your say at www.blmkstp.co.uk