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National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day – 15 June 2022

Date: 15/06/2022 | Category: General News

Our Estates and Facilities workforce are at the heart of Bedfordshire Hospitals.

Made of up Security, Car Parking, Portering and Linen, Cleaning/Waste, Catering, Fire and Maintenance, Decontamination and Sterile Services, Electrical and Biomedical Engineering (EBME), Switchboard and Capital, these staff members are responsible for supporting and maintaining the 133,000 square metres of both our hospital sites – 71,000sqm at the L&D and 62,000sqm at Bedford Hospital.

The first ever National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day takes place today, June 15, 2022 to recognise the valuable contributions these professionals make to the healthcare sector and the impact they have on our patients and staff.

From looking after and maintaining our hospitals sites, tending to our green spaces, creating delicious recipes, ensuring our hospitals are safe and secure, and so much more, Estates and Facilities staff play a vital part in the day to day operations at the Trust.

Thank you to our unsung heroes for all for the incredible work you do to keep our hospitals running and for ensuring our staff, patients and their loved ones are safe, secure and well looked after during their visits to Bedfordshire Hospitals.

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.