All go for building our integrated health and care hub and older person’s housing development in Dunstable
Tuesday, 13 April 2021
Our Executive has today (13 April) agreed to the construction of a community-focused integrated health and care hub, as well as housing for older people situated behind GO Bowling in Dunstable.
The development will include apartments for older people looking to live in modern, town centre accommodation, in addition to the integrated health and care hub, which will bring together a mix of health and care professionals in a single location to promote more joined up working between us, the NHS, and voluntary and community sector teams.
Find out more about the health and care hub.
Subject to ‘call-in’, construction work is expected to begin on 17 May and will be undertaken by Willmott Dixon, a locally-based design and build organisation with significant experience in the health hub and housing sectors. The work is expected to be completed by March 2023.
The integrated health and care hub is designed to become the focal point for delivery of joined-up health and care services for the residents of Dunstable and surrounding villages and will host a wide range of services including GP services, community and mental health services and social care for children and adults. We're working with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to achieve this vision for improving the health and wellbeing of our residents, through greater integration and partnership working.
The site will boast 98 apartments for over 55s, distributed in three blocks with access, parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure. The homes are in the centre of town, with easy access to health services, shops and leisure facilities.
Councillor Eugene Ghent, our Executive Member for Housing and Assets, said:
I’m delighted that we can begin work on this exciting development, which will provide much needed housing and a building for health and care services, enabling more joined up care and bringing a wide range of services closer to people.
Councillor Carole Hegley, our Executive Member for Adult Social care, said:
With the population in the Dunstable and Houghton Regis areas expected to grow significantly over the next two decades, with increasing health needs, this modern, centrally located health and care facility is designed to meet that demand. It’s about delivering both health and social care in a joined-up way to suit local people.
Councillor Tracey Stock, our Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing and Communities, added:
This development is the first of several hubs that will make it easier for people in Central Bedfordshire to access the care and support they need. Delivering better care locally is key to reducing pressures across health service and social care.