Hospitals - Bedford

Service information for Bedford Hospital

The paediatric department deals with acute and emergency conditions in children and newborn babies and is made up of an outpatients department, two wards and an ambulatory care service.

The department treats every child and baby as an individual, with unique physical, psychological, spiritual and educational needs. It also recognises the importance of family involvement and support, and aims to provide support for families to return home with confidence and knowledge which enables them to continue care in the child’s natural environment.

Riverbank ward (children’s ward)

Riverbank ward has 16 beds/cots and cares for children and teenagers from 0 – 16 years. There are two high dependency beds for sicker children and a dedicated children’s day surgical service. There is also a pleasant play area and open air garden for the children which are both supervised by the play leaders. For more information about Riverbank ward please click here.

The Ambulatory Care Service led by a consultant and a nurse practitioner provides a service for day assessments and day investigations, urgent GP referrals, children with open access and ward attendees and is based on Riverbank ward.

Meadowbank Ward

Meadowbank ward is a modern special care baby unit.

Children’s Out-patient Department

The children’s outpatient department is based in Cygnet Wing opposite adjacent to the entrance. The department runs routine outpatient clinics including specialty clinics in cardiology, respiratory medicine, oncology, diabetes, rheumatology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and dermatology.

Children’s Blood Tests

Children under sixteen need to attend the children and teenager’s outpatient unit in Cygnet Wing, at Bedford Hospital (South Wing).  All children’s blood tests are by appointment only.

From Monday 18 October 2021, additional appointment systems have been introduced. There will be a number of ways to book an appointment including:

• Using the online booking service (available 24/7). Patients will need to register online using the child’s details: www.bedfordpaediatrics.sangix.co.uk
• The automated telephone booking service using the child’s details (available 24/7). The telephone number is: 01234 868006