We support plans to investigate potential for additional health and care facility in Leighton Buzzard
Friday, 28 July 2023
We're working closely with the BLMK ICB and residents’ groups in Leighton Buzzard with regard to early-stage plans to bring a new healthcare facility to the town.
The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is responsible for providing healthcare services in our area. We've worked closely with NHS partners to build a new integrated health and care hub in Dunstable and have aspirations for similar joint developments in other areas.
The feasibility study published by BLMK ICB earlier this year recognises the need for additional health and care premises to keep pace with housing development and the important challenges residents face in accessing primary care services in Leighton Buzzard. BLMK ICB is now moving to the next stage to develop an outline business case.
Councillor Adam Zerny, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, commented:
We are committed to working closely with local NHS services and residents’ groups in Leighton Buzzard on the next steps to address the health and care issues in the town. Although planning for additional healthcare provision is in the early stages, I’m pleased this issue is being taken seriously and BLMK ICB is taking the next step to explore a possible solution and funding options.
We are grateful for the work conducted by the town’s Patient Participation Group (PPG), which has done much to set out local issues and preferences. It is important that the findings of the survey carried out by the PPG is considered in the next stages.
Leighton Buzzard, like many towns in Central Bedfordshire, has seen a big increase in development. Health services need to keep pace to meet the demand.
New healthcare facilities will not come cheap. Defining what we want does not mean we have the funding in place. Regardless, it's important we aspire to improve not just Leighton Buzzard but all our towns, especially given the recent petition which shows a very strong wish for more healthcare facilities in Biggleswade.
We welcome the ICB’s Chief Executive Felicity Cox’s comments that improving access to health and care across our area is a priority for the Integrated Care Board and the intention to continue to work with all relevant groups to get the healthcare residents need.
Councillor Rebecca Hares, our Executive Member for Health and Community Liaison, said:
Central Bedfordshire Council will continue to champion the needs of our residents and work closely with the health partners to ensure everyone has access to the right health and care services.