Two new wings open in Luton and Dunstable hospital after £170m investment
Two new wings have been officially opened at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital – marking the largest developments created by the Trust.
Staff celebrated the unveiling of the modern, purpose-built buildings to house maternity, neonatal, adult intensive care and theatre services.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to thank and recognise the teams responsible for designing, building and managing the programme, the staff who helped shape the facilities through rounds of consultation, and the patients and residents who gave their insight into the design and operational planning.
Demolition work started in 2021 and a ground-breaking ceremony held in April 2022.
Clinical services were moved into the new facilities between October 2025 and April 2026.
Oak Wing is dedicated to maternity and neonatal services. Inside, there are two wards, a reception and a charity shop.
While outside, there is a tranquillity garden for pregnant women and birthing people, as well as a dedicated staff garden.
Cedar Wing is for specialist maternity, intensive care, neonatal and theatre services.
The ground floor delivery suite has 10 beds, a six-bed midwifery led birthing unit, four birthing pools, and the Snowdrop maternity bereavement suite and garden.
The first floor has an adult intensive care unit with access to a shared outdoor balcony.
The second floor is home to a neonatal intensive care unit, including transitional care facilities, milk expressing rooms, parent rooming-in accommodation and a dedicated bereavement suite.
Planned surgery centre is on the third floor where patients are put into individual pods before and after having surgery.
Fourth floor has theatres with eight additional state-of-the-art operating theatres, including two hybrid theatres capable of delivering specialist surgery.
Cathy Jones, acting chief executive at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The opening of Oak and Cedar Wing is a landmark moment for our Trust and communities. These facilities provide the highest quality environments for patients, families and our staff, ensuring we can continue delivering exceptional care now and for future generations. “
She added: "This achievement truly reflects years of hard work and dedication from countless individuals and organisations who have helped make this vision a reality."