Farron: The response to our campaign shows the need to bring these services back to WGH

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has thanked local residents for their 'overwhelming' support for the campaign to bring Accident & Emergency services back to Westmorland General Hospital. Now over 6,000 local residents have signed the petition to bring services back to our hospital.

The current total of petition signatories is 6,356 and dozens more are coming back every day. Tim is keen to make sure the public are heard and that A&E and acute services are brought back to Westmorland GeneralHospital.

A two year long plan to restructure health services in South Cumbria and North Lancashire is ongoing and Tim, working with health professionals, has submitted his proposals to the review. Much of the power and funds to move or commission services are now held by GPs, so Tim has also written to local GPs to find out their thoughts about any plans.

The petition is still available online and can be signed here: http://timfarron.co.uk/en/petition/bring-back-acute-services-to-kendal

Tim said: "The continuing support from the public is overwhelming and I think it proves how important the return of acute services is to local people.

"I think it is a fantastic testimony to the strength of our case. Ever since acute services were moved to Lancaster and Barrow, local residents have contacted me with concerns and horror stories. Although the new management team at the hospitals trust have improved things, long waits and congestion at Lancaster hospital are still a fact of life.

"We now have a real chance to make our voice heard so I hope as many people as possible join our campaign and sign the petition."