Comment

Representation ID: 10347

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Barton Willmore

5.1 Paragraph 4.21 of the Submission Local Plan states:
“An Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) has been prepared to support the Local Plan 2040. It identifies the infrastructure required to meet the level of growth anticipated in the borough in a sustainable manner. The document covers all types of infrastructure from transport and mobility hubs to waste water and supply, energy to schools, health to policies and fire services. The IDP identifies the infrastructure projects that will be required to meet the needs arising over the local plan period.”
5.2 The IDP has been prepared by AECOM and was published in May 2022 as part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan. The IDP identifies the infrastructure required to meet the level of growth anticipated in the Borough. This includes sections on both Primary and Acute Healthcare.
Primary Healthcare
5.3 Section 6.5 ‘Primary Healthcare’ makes reference to the BLMK CCG’s April 2021 publication, Our Commissioning Strategy 2021-2024 and the separate Our Primary Care Strategy.
5.4 In looking forward at planned projects, the IDP sets out the emerging model for integrated health and care hubs. Paragraph 6.5.25 identifies five planned hubs, including:
“North Bedford Primary Care Hub, Health Village site, Kimbolton Road, Bedford (pre-2026, work in progress, £7.08 cost, NHS capital available in principle).”
(We assume £7.08 million)
5.5 Paragraph 6.5.38 provides cost information for three of the identified projects, including:
“North Bedford Primary Care Hub, Kimbolton Road, Bedford: £7.0m (assume funded – NHS capital available in principle).”
5.6 Paragraphs 6.5.39-40 provide an estimate of project costs, and also set out an alterative approach to estimating costs based on the ‘NHS Healthy Urban Development Unit Model’ which is based on 199 sqm per GP and £3,130 per sqm. The findings are set out in Table 6.14 (page 169), resulting in a cost of approximately £17m for 28 full-time equivalent GPs over the period to 2040.
Acute Healthcare: Hospitals
5.7 Section 6.6 ‘Acute Healthcare: Hospitals’ includes hospitals and specialist care services, including mental health care. Paragraph 6.6.3 explains that the Trust acts as the provider of acute healthcare in Bedford Borough and the BLMK CCH commission acute healthcare from the Trust, acting together as partners within an Integrated Care System (ICS).
5.8 Paragraphs 6.6.18-22 refer to the Trust’s Clinical Strategy and wider plans for estate development over the next 15 years.
5.9 Paragraph 6.6.29 refers to cost information for three identified projects:
• “The estimated cost for the redevelopment of Shires House for inpatient mental health facilities is £60m.
• The estimated cost to deliver an additional operating theatre is approximately £6.8m.
• Electrical infrastructure upgrades will cost approximately £3.4m, although associated works represent Phase 1 of a larger infrastructure development programme.”
5.10 Paragraph 6.6.34 provides information on funding and states that
• “Funding for a new operating theatre is mostly yet to be secured, although £1m has been secured from an allocation received from the Department of Health and Social Care as part of COVID-19 recovery monies Funding for electrical infrastructure upgrades has been secured via the NHS.”
5.11 In summary, this section of the IDP concludes (paragraphs 6.6.39-40):
“Bedfordshire Hospital Trust is formulating a Clinical Strategy and a Development Control Plan for Bedford Hospital involving a variety of capital projects. These include, at the South Wing Site, additional operating theatres, additional outpatient capacity, additional inpatient beds, and a progressed car parking and access strategy. At the North Wing site, planned investments include the development of a primary care hub, a joint scheme between the CCG and BHT...
”Costs associated with the full programme of works at Bedford Hospital are not yet available. However, acute healthcare equipment, technologies and infrastructure are high cost, and the overall programme of works of Bedford Hospital is likely to cost tens of thousands of pounds.”
5.12 We would like to clarify that the latter reference should be to “hundreds of millions” rather than tens of thousands. Significant investment is required.
5.13 The Trust has been happy to engage with AECOM in their work preparing the IDP 2022. The IDP helpfully references the Trust’s emerging strategies and associated projects. We would caveat that the IDP represents a ‘snap shot’ in time, and priorities and funding opportunities/constraints will change over time.
5.14 The Trust will seek to work closely with the Council and other partners, sharing their emerging plans for the South and North Wing sites to ensure the ongoing delivery of essential healthcare to support growth and development in Bedford and the wider area during the forthcoming plan period.