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Consultation launched on the future of reablement services john.day Tue 11/08/2026 4:36pm

11 August 2026

Health and social care

We're encouraging residents to have their say on proposals to close Evergreen in Ampthill and deliver Step Up / Step Down (SUSD) bed-based reablement services from Redwood Reablement Suite in Houghton Regis.

Find out more and have your say

Step Up / Step Down services provides short-term care and reablement support for adults who need help to avoid a hospital admission or help to regain their independence following a stay at hospital.

We currently operate SUSD services from 2 locations:

• Evergreen, Ampthill (6 beds)
• Redwood Reablement Suite at All Saints View, Houghton Regis (8 beds)

Under the proposal, Evergreen would close and all bed-based reablement services would be delivered from the Redwood Reablement Suite in Houghton Regis.

Over recent years, increasing numbers of people have been supported successfully through our Home First approach and community-based reablement services. This has resulted in fewer people requiring bed-based support and existing bed capacity has been underused for years. By closing Evergreen, it would match current demand more closely and avoid empty beds for long periods in the service.

Councillor Mark Smith, our Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:

The Step Up / Step down service is an important service which helps people remain independent and get people back on their feet.

By centralising services at All Saints View it makes better use of a purpose-built facility for reablement and allows us to increase our capacity to offer people more options to access Home First and other community-based services. These options have shown to be more effective and successful. This leaves bed-based support available for people who really need it the most.

It’s important to give us your views on this proposal even if you haven't or don't think you will use the service. It could be something you or a loved one may need in the future.

The consultation forms part of our ongoing work to ensure services remain sustainable, effective and provide value for money while continuing to support residents to regain their independence.

The consultation is now open, and we're keen to hear the views of:

• people who have used or may use reablement services
• carers, family members, and advocates
• health and care partners and staff within this sector
• residents and community organisations

Feedback received during the consultation will help inform our assessment of the proposal before any final decision is made.

The consultation runs from 11 August 2026 until 2 November 2026.

Bedford council has this week brought in new parking permit bays.