Health review bosses asked to save A&E services at all three hospitals

RESIDENTS have called on health bosses to maintain A&E services at all three hospitals in the area after draft plans revealed emergency services could be reduced at at least one hospital.

Councillors met with leaders in charge of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes hospitals at Bedford Borough Hall last night to hear how engagement sessions with the public had gone.

The STP is looking at how services are delivered at each hospital in a bid to make savings and services more efficient, and could see services downgraded or cancelled at Bedford Hospital.

Cathy Jones, programme director for the secondary care section of the STP, revealed eight early consultation meetings with residents had thrown up several concerns about the STP draft plans.

She said: “We had very strong support that A&E services should be maintained at all three hospital sites.

“We also heard unanimously at every session we ran that transport costs and travel times are very important. It’s a real concern to people.”

Read More at Bedfordshire On Sunday, 28th March 2017