Vascular services development

Following the merger of Bedford Hospital and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D) in April 2020, a considerable amount of focused work and time went into developing a Clinical Strategy for the new larger Foundation Trust.

Within the Clinical Strategy, the Trust outlines plans to develop and enhance the provision of vascular services across the two hospital sites.

Collaboration between Bedford and L&D vascular services has been in place for 22 years, with inpatient treatment focused at the Bedford site. In 2012 the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Vascular Network was formed with the joining of Milton Keynes Hospital. This BLMK network serves a population of approx. one million people (2018 CCG figures).

Currently, outpatient, diagnostics and day case activity takes place on all three hospital sites. Duplex scans at Bedford and Milton Keynes Hospitals, with emergency and elective inpatient activity at Bedford Hospital as the current vascular hub.

Following engagement and collaborative working with our clinical leaders, management teams, full approval by the Trust Board, NHS England and the East of England Clinical Senate, we want to progress with plans to further develop vascular services by re-locating the vascular hub to the L&D from Bedford Hospital. This would mean all major vascular surgery (emergency and elective inpatient activity) will be delivered at the L&D and all outpatient, diagnostics and day case activity will remain at the patient’s local hospital in either Bedford, Luton or Milton Keynes.