'40,000 petitions have been sent out calling for A&E to come back to WGH' - Farron

Local MP Tim Farron has sent out petitions to 40,000 people throughout South Lakeland and Upper Eden to allow people to add their voice to the growing campaign to bring Accident and Emergency services back to Westmorland General Hospital.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust is on the verge of launching a two year long plan to restructure health services in South Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Tim has called on local residents to engage with the process and make sure their views are heard. Tim has met hospital management and will continue to do so throughout the process.

Before Christmas Tim wrote to local GP's asking them what they think of his campaign to bring A&E services back to the much loved local hospital. As a result of the recent NHS reforms, GP's now hold much of the funds and power to commission and move services. The replies Tim has received so far have left him 'optimistic' that a strong medical case can be made for the service at Westmorland General.

Currently many patients have to travel to Lancaster for emergency treatment. This means that they are driven past Westmorland GeneralHospital on their way to Lancaster to be treated.

Tim said: "Over the last two years we have been able to bring chemotherapy to Westmorland General Hospital and we are well on the way to bringing a radiotherapy unit too. Now I want us to try and bring Accident and Emergency Services back to the hospital. If we can do this it will bring many more facilities and added benefits for patients and residents."

"I think the case for more services at Westmorland General is simple and compelling. It is right in the middle of the area that the trust serves; it has most of the population close to it, good transport links and has the space to expand unlike Lancaster, which is cramped. Doctors are already telling health bosses that Kendal is once more an option to move major services to. Now they need our help to make that case. Please sign the petition when it comes through your letterbox and ask your family to do so too. Together we have achieved such a lot for our hospital - lets make sure we win this one as well!"