East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) has announced the appointment of Day Njovana as its new substantive Chief Operating Officer (COO), following an external recruitment process.

Day has been part of ELFT since 2009, when he joined the Trust as a Matron in its forensic services. Since then, he has held a number of senior leadership positions, including Deputy Head of Nursing, Head of Nursing and Associate Clinical Director for Safety and Security.

He is currently Borough Director for Tower Hamlets Adult Mental Health, Autism and Learning Disability Services, where he has played a key role in developing and delivering the Barnsley Street Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre model through the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme.

ELFT says his work has helped to strengthen partnerships, improve access to care and support more integrated, community-based services.

Reflecting on his appointment, Day said:

“I have always believed that leadership is about creating the conditions in which people can succeed. I am humbled and delighted to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at ELFT. I look forward to working with colleagues, service users, carers and partners as we continue to improve services, reduce inequalities, and deliver safe, compassionate and high-quality care for our communities.”

Day will take over from current Chief Operating Officer Edwin Ndlovu MBE, who is due to leave ELFT on 9th November 2026 to take up the role of Chief Executive at North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT).

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire will continue to share relevant updates about local health and care services as they become available.

The post Day Njovana appointed as ELFT Chief Operating Officer appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

This October, a new campaign is helping to raise awareness of the links between domestic abuse, poor mental health and suicide.

The Raising Red Flying Green campaign by Women’s Aid Luton and Media Zoo, will run throughout October 2026, encouraging people to recognise the signs, start conversations and know where to turn for support.

The campaign has been co-produced with domestic abuse survivors, who helped identify six key messages that reflect some of the thoughts and feelings people experiencing domestic abuse may have:

• It is not serious – It is that serious
• I don’t know where I can turn – I know where to turn
• I’m too much – I’m enough
• I am out of options – I still have options
• I feel like I am a burden – I am not a burden
• No one will care – We care

Raising awareness across Central Bedfordshire

The campaign will officially launch with a Listening Sofa event in High Town, Luton, on Thursday 1st October at 11am.

Throughout October, campaign materials will be shared across local communities, including posters, digital resources and discreet awareness tags that can be displayed in community settings such as shops, cafés and pubs.

The campaign aims to help raise awareness, encourage conversations and make it easier for people affected by domestic abuse to find information and support.

A range of support services will be signposted through the campaign’s online support page, including national domestic abuse and mental health services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Support is available.

Look out for the Raising Red Flying Green campaign throughout October and help spread the message in your community.

The post Raising Red Flying Green: Domestic Abuse Awareness Campaign appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

There is just under one week left to have your say on Central Bedfordshire Council’s draft Local Transport Plan 4.

The consultation is looking for residents’ views on the council’s plans for the future of transport across Central Bedfordshire.

The draft Local Transport Plan sets out proposals for how transport could be improved and developed, and the council is inviting people to share their views before the consultation closes.

The consultation also includes supporting documents, including an Equality Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment Report and Sustainability Appraisal Report, which look at the potential impacts of the plans.

Consultation closes 20th September 2026..

If you live, work or travel across Central Bedfordshire, this is an opportunity to share your views and help shape future transport planning in the area.

You can view the draft Local Transport Plan 4 and submit your comments online:

View the consultation and have your say

Comments can also be submitted by replying directly to Central Bedfordshire Council’s consultation email.

Make sure your views are heard before the consultation closes on 20th September 2026.

The post Have Your Say on Central Bedfordshire’s Draft Local Transport Plan 4 appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

Do you currently receive a Direct Payment, have received one in the past, or decided not to take one up when it was offered?

A review is underway looking at how Direct Payments are provided and supported in Central Bedfordshire, and your experience could help shape improvements.

People with lived experience, Carers and partner organisations are working together through the Direct Payments Working Group to understand what is working well, what could be improved, and how information, support and services could be better in the future.

The Working Group has developed a short survey and would like to hear from people who:

• Currently receive a Direct Payment.
• Have received a Direct Payment in the past.
• Were offered a Direct Payment but decided not to take one up.

Your experiences and views are important. By completing the survey, you can help improve the way Direct Payments are provided and supported in Central Bedfordshire.

The survey closes on Monday 5th October 2026.

Have your say

Complete the Direct Payments survey

Please also consider sharing the survey with your friends, family, colleagues and networks to help ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to share their experiences.

Need a paper copy?
If you require a paper copy of the survey, please contact ASCpeopleparticipation@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

The post Have Your Say on Direct Payments in Central Bedfordshire appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

Carers in Bedfordshire is launching The Rowan Club, a new weekly respite service for older people and their Carers, following a successful pilot.

The service launches on Friday 9th October at the MS Therapy Centre in Bedford and will run every Friday.

The Rowan Club offers a warm and supportive environment where members can enjoy a full programme of:

• Activities and creativity
• Conversation and social connection
• Gentle movement
• Talks and practical support
• Wellbeing sessions

While the person they care for is settled, Carers can choose what works best for them. They can leave and enjoy some time for themselves, stay and join in, or take part in the Thrive Series, which offers talks, practical support and wellbeing sessions.

The idea is simple: a meaningful day for the person being cared for, and genuine time and support for the person caring for them.

Bookings are now open

If you think you or someone you support could benefit from The Rowan Club, bookings are now open.

Find out more and book through Carers in Bedfordshire

For more information, including FAQs, visit the Carers in Bedfordshire website.

The post The Rowan Club: A New Weekly Respite Service for Older People and Their Carers appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

The East of England Cancer Alliance Patient Partnership Group is hosting a free online event looking at the support available to people with learning disabilities throughout their cancer journey.

Let’s Talk About Cancer: Support for people with learning disabilities

Wednesday 7 October 2026
6.30pm-7.30pm
Online via Microsoft Teams

The event will feature Dr Suzanne Phillips, GP, who will share practical information about accessing cancer screening, diagnostic tests, treatment and ongoing support.

There will also be an opportunity to hear from a person with lived experience, who will share their own experiences and explain the difference that the right support can make.

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and take part in the discussion.

The event is open to everyone, including:

• People with learning disabilities
• Family members and carers
• Support workers
• Healthcare professionals
• Anyone interested in learning more about accessible and inclusive cancer care

The aim is to make cancer care more accessible, inclusive and understandable for everyone.

How to register

To register and receive the joining link, email cpicb.eoecancerallianceteam@nhs.net.

You can also find out more about the event on the East of England Cancer Alliance’s page.

Find out more and register for the event:
Let’s Talk About Cancer – East of England Cancer Alliance

You can also subscribe to the East of England Cancer Alliance mailing list to hear about future events.

The post Let’s Talk About Cancer: Support for People with Learning Disabilities appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

Being discharged from hospital should be a safe and well-planned process, with the right support in place for people returning home or moving into other care.

Have you or someone you care for had a difficult experience when being discharged from hospital? Did you or a loved one spend longer in hospital than necessary, experience delays, or feel you weren’t given the information or support you needed?

If so, Healthwatch England wants to hear about your experience.

By understanding what happened, we can identify where things are working well and where improvements are needed to make hospital discharge better for everyone.

Take the survey and tell us your story.

The survey takes around 10-15 minutes, and anything you share will be treated confidentially.

The post Your hospital experience matters – have your say! appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

All courses are face-to-face at Luton All Women’s Centre and are for women only.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested in attending, please contact Louise at louise@lawc.org.uk to arrange an initial registration and secure a place.

You can also find full details of the available courses on the Luton All Women’s Centre website:
Women’s Academy – Luton All Women’s Centre.

Places may be limited, so early registration is recommended.

The post Upcoming courses at Luton All Women’s Centre appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

The NHS East London Foundation Trust and the Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College have a new workshop starting this month: Exploring Art Therapy.
The courses are all FREE and open to anyone.

If you are interested, registered with the Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College, and would like to attend, you can email them at elft.recoverycollege@nhs.net to book your place.

If you are not registered and would like to attend, you can complete the form by clicking this link to submit. submit it to us. Once received, the college will book you a place, and you will receive confirmation with all the details.

The post Exploring Art Therapy – Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.

Healthwatch has explored people’s experiences and highlights what needs to change to make health and care services safer, more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Read the full Healthwatch England article: Are we failing people with sight loss in healthcare?

The post Healthwatch England – Are we failing people with sight loss in healthcare? appeared first on Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire.