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Bedfordshire Integrated COPD Service

The Bedfordshire Integrated COPD (ICOPD) Service has the following aims:

To provide a high standard of specialised care for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
To provide a greater range of COPD services closer to patients’ homes
To improve patient access to COPD services
To improve communication and closer working with GPs and other community services

ICOPD will be providing consultant, respiratory nurse, respiratory physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation clinics in the community and closer to patients’ homes, ensuring greater ease of access to services, whilst maintaining the highest standards.

This will be an innovative and ground-breaking service with two general hospitals working together to provide one ‘unified’ service for the patients of Bedfordshire.

The service will be provided by the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, on behalf of NHS Bedfordshire.

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.