Bedford ‘underserved’ by medical practices, adviser says Bedford News

Being involved in the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Partnership is ‘really important’ in ensuring that the needs of people in Bedford are met.

And one of the partnership’s new representatives – Councilor Louise Jackson (Labour, Harpur Ward) – said she was concerned Bedford was underserved in terms of general surgeries and did not have ‘everything we need’ “.

Councilor Jackson, portfolio holder for health, public health and wellbeing, and Kate Walker, director of adult services, have been appointed to represent Bedford Borough Council in the partnership.

Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson told the executive meeting (April 27) that the government was introducing a new approach to local NHS management and working towards further integration of health and care services.

“This will be done through the integrated care system, which requires local NHS bodies and local authorities to work together to improve and integrate health and care services, and address health inequalities in the region. “, did he declare.

“The integrated care system is expected to be in place by July 1, 2022, subject to the Health and Care Bill being given royal ancestry.”

Integrated care councils and local authorities will be required to establish an integrated care partnership as part of the governance arrangements of the system.

The mayor added: “The focus of the partnership will be broad, including how the system can address the broader determinants of health and health inequalities in this area,” he said.

“It is recommended that the nominees for executive are Councilor Jackson, holder of the public health and wellbeing portfolio, and Kate Walker, director of adult services, for the Bedford Borough places in the care partnership integrated.”

Councilor Jackson said: ‘I think it’s really important that we get involved in this and be around the table while the decisions are being made.

“But I want to emphasize that my goal is to serve the residents of the borough of Bedford and locally.

“You may or may not be aware that the Health and Care Bill has cleared its final hurdle now and should therefore receive Royal Assent, so the timetable is on track.

“It is rather disappointing that the workforce amendments were voted down and that we are not keeping track of our health and care staff.

“It’s absolutely essential, obviously we want to make sure that we have all the right infrastructure in place, that we have the medical practices that we need, we are very poorly served on that front, in fact through BLMK.

“In the borough of Bedford in particular, I’m afraid we don’t have everything we need.

“However, I think having a seat around the table gives us the opportunity to continue to influence that and make sure we get the services we need.

“But without the people and without keeping an eye on what’s going on with our workforce across the system, in fact, across the country, we won’t really know where we stand. .

“I am happy to be involved and to continue to attend these extremely lengthy meetings on behalf of the residents of the Borough of Bedford,” she said.