Penny McNamara - Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Dr Penny McNamara

Hospital

Bedford Hospital

Job Title

Consultant in palliative Medicine

Qualifications

MMBS MRCGP MSc (Ethics in palliative care)FRCP

Specialty

Palliative Medicine

Other Roles

Foundation Programme Director, Medical Director Willen Hospice

Education and Training

Dr McNamara graduated from St George’s Hospital Medical School in 1989. She commenced her specialty training in South Thames and accumulated hospice experience in several large centres in that region. She transferred to Eastern region in 1998 competing her training in 2000 and became the first Palliative Care consultant in Bedfordshire, working between St John’s Hospice and Bedford Hospital

Experience

Consultant post commenced 2000

Other

Lyn Mabberley Secretary to the Palliative Care Team ext 2296

Unexpected closure of lifts in Beeden House and reduced lift capacity in the Main Block, Bedford Hospital

Beeden House

We have had to make the difficult decision to close both lifts in Beeden House after finding an unexpected fault during routine maintenance.

This means that there will be disruption to services and appointments on the upper floors of Beeden House.

We are currently contacting patients to find the best individual solution for them, minimise disruption and ensure they continue to receive the care they need. At this point you do not need to contact us, we will contact all affected patients.

The decision to close the lifts was hard, but we felt it was the safest decision to best protect our patients and staff.

Reduced lift capacity in the Main Block

Please be aware our lifts in the Main Block currently have reduced capacity. In order to maintain lift functions and minimise traffic in the remaining lifts, we will be prioritising high priority movements.

Staff, patients and visitors can access the main block lifts if required, but may be asked to wait at main reception while other priority movements are made. A minimum of 4 people will be required before the lift departs. Security staff operating the lifts will be mindful that not all disabilities are visible and make appropriate accommodations for non-ambulant staff and visitors.

We apologise for the inconvenience the closure of lifts and reduced lift capacity will cause.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and support.