News and reports

The Healthwatch Bedford Borough (HBB) article in the December edition of BedsLife magazine focuses on Jag Lehal's key aims as our new Chair - listening first, championing equity and ensuring every voice in Bedford borough is heard

People living in Luton and Bedfordshire needing advice, support, or guidance on palliative and end-of-life care now have one clear way to access advice and support, by calling NHS 111 and selecting Option 4. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) is delighted to announce the publication of 12 Cancer walkthrough videos on the BLMK ICB Health and Care Partnership website.

The Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life East of England event has now reached full capacity. They wish to thank everyone who has registered to attend.

The Healthwatch Bedford Borough (HBB) article in the November edition of BedsLife magazine focuses on what our Community Outreach and Volunteering Officer, Diana Korotkova, has been up to recently, making sure local voices are heard across schools, community events, and partnership boards.

From October 2025, GP practices in England will follow a new Patient Access Charter. This sets out what you can expect when contacting your GP, and what your practice expects from you in return.

Bedford Borough Council's Public Health Protection team has launched powerful new videos for Pakistani, Black African, Caribbean, Panjabi, and Bangla communities, where cervical screening rates remain low.

The Urology Trade Association (UTA), The Urology Foundation (TUF) and the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) have launched a joint survey on patient dignity, experiences, and outcomes.

The Healthwatch Bedford Borough (HBB) article in the October edition of bedslife magazine focuses on why a growing population means a greater need for your voice to be heard - and for more volunteers to champion it.

Healthwatch Bedford Borough wishes the Independent Strategic Advisory Board chair, Aidan Vaughan, much success in his future endeavours now that he has completed his tenure with us and is pursuing other opportunities.

We are thankful to Aidan for the oversight, support and developmental work he has done with us at Healthwatch Bedford Borough. We are actively seeking his successor and will announce this as soon as we appoint a new chair.

Healthwatch Bedford Borough (HBB) continues to hold its monthly board meetings around the borough providing an opportunity for conversation and discussion with the public regarding patient and residents’ experiences of health and social care services.

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, together with partners, invites patients, carers, family members, and anyone with an interest in palliative and end-of-life care to join regular online meetings. These forums provide an opportunity to hear about current and future plans, share your experiences, and help shape the way services are delivered.