New surgery premises will help meet the growing demand for healthcare in Bedford

The move was made possible through partnership working between Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Wootton Vale Healthy Living Centre who provide GP services at the Shortstown Surgery, Bellway Homes, Bedford Borough Council and NHS Property Services.

The CCG and Bedford Borough Council have made it a strategic priority to ensure the increased demand for primary care services can be met as the population of Bedford grows. The new Shortstown Surgery premises will relieve pressure on existing facilities and provide for future demand from housing developments and population growth.

The new building offers much more space including three GP consultation rooms, one nurse room and a health care assistant/phlebotomy room. There is a waiting room and separate reception area, an interview room is also available to allow patients to discuss their medical issues confidentially. The surgery is situated on the ground floor and has automatic entrance doors to ensure easy access.

Jo Tuck, Senior Construction Manager for NHS Property Services, said: “The opening of the surgery marks the end of the construction period and the start of delivering excellent patient care for the community of Shortstown. We’re delighted that the efforts of all stakeholders involved, including the construction team at NHSPS, have delivered additional capacity for high quality GP services to be accessible for the long-term.”

Dr Nicola Smith, Chair of Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We are delighted to have this modern addition to primary care services in Bedford. Working in partnership we are delighted to be able to open the new premises which will enable the provider to deliver excellent healthcare that meets the needs of the residents of Shortstown and provides services for the growing population.”

Dr Lynsey McKenzie, Wootton Vale Healthy Living Centre commented: “We are passionate about providing the very best care for our patients. The surgery team has worked hard to ensure that we deliver a modern GP surgery that will enable us to provide high quality healthcare for the residents of Shortstown and the surrounding areas. We are all looking forward to welcoming our patients.”

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “I’m really pleased to see the new Shortstown Surgery open. It’s been a long wait and I’d like to thank everyone involved in making it happen. It’s now here, in the heart of Shortstown and I’m sure everyone will welcome it and use it when needed.”

Cllr Sarah Gallagher, Eastcotts Ward councillor said: “I’m delighted that the new Shortstown Surgery has officially opened. I, along, with many local residents have been campaigning for this new surgery for years so it’s great to see it open and supporting the local community.The new surgery is a vast improvement on the previous surgery with more space, has a much more modern feel and most importantly is all on the ground floor and fully accessible to everyone. I would like thank the NHS, NHS Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Bellway Homes and local residents for their continued support to make this new surgery a reality.”