CUMBRIAN MP SAYS CONSERVATIVES ARE KICKING PROMISE OF 40 NEW HOSPITALS ‘INTO THE LONG GRASS’

Today, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron, has slammed the Government's decision to postpone some of their '40 new hospitals by 2030' promise until the next decade.

The plans included the promise to demolish and rebuild Lancaster Royal Infirmary.

Speaking this morning Tim has said: "The fact of the matter is that we are watching the Conservatives break yet another promise before our very eyes.

"Our NHS is under enormous pressure. The Conservatives made a promise that may have helped to relieve some of that pressure, a promise that got a lot of people's hopes up, and they are breaking it.

"Slowly but surely, that promise is being kicked into the long grass and they are hoping we won't notice."

The announcement of the delay also came with the revelation that the scheme will receive around £10 Billion less in funding than was initially requested.

Tim has been a long-time campaigner for better access to key health services within rural communities. This includes better access to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, which is the closest emergency centre and major hospital for the majority of the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.

Significant research and planning have already been undertaken for the proposed refurbishment of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary which will also now be lost.

Tim said: "This is a decision that will do harm to local people, but it is an unsurprising one.

"This government have shown no real commitment to bettering NHS services for the people throughout our community and we cannot let them get away with it."