From 12 October, Bedford Hospital will adjust its maternity and neonatal services to align with recent national standards. Women and birthing people expecting to deliver between 30 and 32 weeks’ gestation will no longer give birth at Bedford Hospital. Instead, they will be transferred to a maternity unit equipped with the appropriate level of neonatal support for premature babies.
Bedford Hospital currently operates as a Special Care Unit (SCU), providing care for babies who do not require intensive or prolonged high dependency care. This includes monitoring, oxygen therapy, temperature and blood sugar management, feeding support, and treatment for babies who become unwell after birth.
In contrast, Local Neonatal Units (LNU) offer higher levels of medical and nursing support. They provide short-term intensive care, prolonged high dependency care, breathing support, intravenous feeding, treatment for sick newborns, and can initiate cooling therapy before transfer to a specialist unit if necessary.
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are designated for babies with the most critical needs, requiring support for over 48 hours. This care includes advanced breathing support, management of heart rate and blood pressure, specialist treatments like cooling therapy, long-term nutritional support, and sometimes surgical care. Babies anticipated to need this level of care may be transferred before birth to a NICU.
For the majority of women and birthing people, these changes will not affect their care, as Bedford Hospital will continue to provide safe maternity and neonatal services for most pregnancies and births. This ensures mothers and babies receive care tailored to their specific clinical needs, in accordance with national guidance followed across England.
Individuals who may be affected by this change are advised to consult with their midwife. Midwives will discuss available options and provide support throughout the pregnancy journey. Depending on individual circumstances, some or all antenatal care may still be delivered locally. The hospital assures all pregnant individuals that this adjustment is solely due to updated national standards, with the safety of mothers and babies remaining the highest priority.
