Farron: Bring Services to Kendal To Relieve A&E Pressure

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to health bosses to call for an extension to emergency care in Kendal, to alleviate pressure on A&E units in Barrow and Lancaster.

In the last two days, local health bosses have been urging the public to stay away from A&E unless faced with an emergency situation. The Hospitals Trust has said that "sudden increases in attendance" mean that patients are "likely to experience long waiting times".

However, even before this recent surge, many patients have been left for hours before receiving treatment. Figures for April show that 1181 patients had to wait over 4 hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.

Tim said: "Local people need the peace of mind of knowing that A&E services are there if they need them. It is extremely concerning that health bosses have had to ask people to stay away. Services might be expected to be under pressure in the middle of winter, but it is worrying that the hospitals cannot cope in high summer.

"I am calling on health bosses to extend the PCAS services available at Westmorland General in Kendal. Not only would this relieve the pressure on hospitals elsewhere, it would mean shorter journey times for local people."