News and updates

Closure of car park next to Hearing Aid and Breast Screening departments

To support the creation of the Acute Services Block and New Ward Block, the Trust’s Occupational Health department will be moving to a building next to the Hearing Aid Department on Lewsey Road at the end of the year.

In order for this to happen, work will be taking place next to the Hearing Aid and Breast Screening departments, and there will be no patient car parking available outside the buildings from Monday 1 November. However, drop-off will be maintained.

The Occupational Health department play a crucial role in focusing on the health of staff at our Trust. The team provide a range of services aimed at keeping staff well at work and not just supporting staff when they are ill.

It is extremely important that we continue to provide this service to staff in a new environment, whilst we work on improving other areas of the hospital for staff, patients, visitors and the local community.

Patients are advised to use the multi-storey car park further down Lewsey Road. A small number of spaces will be available once the work is complete

No access to back of Surgical Block

From Monday 11 October, pedestrian access in and out of the rear of Surgical Block, past the side of Microbiology, will be for authorised staff only.

As construction activity increases on-site, particularly in this area, it is important we keep staff, visitors and patients safe. As well as maintain privacy and dignity to the mortuary.

Closure of Calnwood Road Patient and Visitor Car Park

In order to the support the redevelopment projects on the L&D site, the patient and visitor car park off of Calnwood Road will be closing at the end of the day on Sunday 26 September.

The safety of our patients, staff and visitors is our priority, especially when construction vehicles and deliveries are arriving on-site.

Patients and visitors will be able to park in the multi-storey car park on Lewsey Road, or the disabled car park in St Mary’s off of Dunstable Road. The maximum height for vehicles in the multi-storey is 2.1 metres.

Wheelchairs are available next to the pick-up and drop-off area near Microbiology, for those who need it.

Closure of service roads

To support the demolition of buildings on the L&D site, a large crane is required to enable works to be carried out safely.

Due to the nature of this work, it has been planned to take place over weekends, to ensure the safety of all staff, patients and visitors.

This will result in closures of the main service road, and adjoining service road from Maternity to Calnwood Road.

The work will take place between 5am and 6pm, and is scheduled for the following weekends, although we endeavour to complete this over the first two.

• 4/5 September – pedestrian access will be available
• 11/12 September – no pedestrian access available through the main service road
• We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but appreciate your support in bearing with us as we progress plans to improve the hospital for staff, patients and visitors.

Closure of back entrance to the surgical block

On Tuesday 24 August, the walkway and entrance to the back of the surgical block will be closed, as part of the redevelopment work.

You will not be able to access the hospital site to the left of Microbiology. Please use an alternative route.

Removal of old generator (Saturday 21 August)

We have now installed the first of our new generators on the L&D site. On Saturday 21 August, the temporary hired generator will be removed.

Between 6am and 9.30am, there will be no vehicle access to the hospital site via St Mary’s car park on Dunstable Road. This includes disabled parking and drop off/pick-up.

Pedestrian access will be maintained and we will be working hard to ensure there is minimal disruption.

Footpath closure (Monday 16 August)

Please be aware that the footpath to the Surgical Short Stay Unit from Dunstable Road will be closed for 1 day on Monday 16 August, while works are carried out to install new gates to the waste yard.

Access will still be available further up Dunstable Road, through St Mary’s car park.

Lewsey Road lane closure (26 July to 4 August)

From Monday 26 July until Wednesday 4 August there will be a single lane closure outside the former main entrance on Lewsey Road. Traffic will be managed with temporary lights. Please allow for additional time when driving to and from the hospital.

Temporary drop-off and main entrance

Please be advised that the temporary drop-off point is now further up Lewsey Road, outside Microbiology. This will be in place until the Emergency Department and new front of the hospital is created. In addition, main reception and PALS are now located in a modular building at the top of the service road.

There is signage to this effect.

Public toilets

Please be advised, from Friday 2 July, the public toilets near security will no longer be accessible. Toilets will be found along the service road (near the temporary main entrance).