No, it’s not an April Fool – NHS England has announced today (Wednesday) it’s give almost £7 million to build the long-awaited health centre in Wixams.

Urban&Civic is currently undertaking design work and residents will get a first peek as well as an opportunity to have their say at two public engagement events in mid-April.

The health centre, which will contain a minimum of eight clinical rooms, is being designed for an expected patient population of around 15,000. It will be owned by Bedford Borough Council. And the plans will also permit a potential future expansion to the health centre.

Board members were informed of the allocation funding this morning at the inaugural meeting of Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The Wixams health centre is to go ahead, following £7 million funding

placeholder image — The Wixams health centre is to go ahead, following £7 million funding

Several GP practices from Bedford and the surrounding area have informally expressed an interest in running the health centre; the provider will be selected through a formal procurement process to be led by the ICB.

Members of the ICB board also heard today that partners are keen to deliver the new health centre as quickly as possible. At this stage, it is hoped construction will begin in 2027 and that it will open in 2029.

The project will be taken forward as a partnership between the ICB, Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Urban&Civic.

The £7 million NHS capital allocation will fund the delivery of the new building, and the project may also draw on Section 106 funding secured from developers by Central Bedfordshire Council, on behalf of the NHS.

Jan Thomas, chief executive officer of Central East ICB, said: “This is great news for patients who have waited for many years whilst the required funding was secured.

“Today we have launched our new ICB, and we look forward to getting on with the delivery: improving patient satisfaction, reducing the time spent waiting for care, delivering more services closer to home, and ensuring the NHS is financially sustainable.”

Nigel Hugill, chief executive at Urban&Civic, said: “We often hear the complaint that health and education provisions fail to keep pace with residential development. That is not the Urban&Civic way. I am delighted to be working with the Central East Integrated Care Board, in conjunction with the two Bedfordshire unitary authorities and with financial support from NHS England, to deliver what we are all determined will be best-in-class GP facilities at Wixams. Public consultation has been organised for soon after the Easter holidays in anticipation of a 2029 opening. All comments will be very welcome.”

Tom Wootton, Bedford mayor, said: "Following considerable effort and dedicated work alongside our partners, we are delighted at the announcement of this funding for a new permanent primary care health centre in Wixams. It will be an important addition to the community.”

Cllr Adam Zerny, Central Bedfordshire Council leader, said: “Residents of Wixams have been waiting a long time for this facility so we're pleased to see steps are finally being taken. We'll be eager to see work get started as soon as possible to ensure the project stays on target for completion by 2029.”