Farron welcomes 'Hugh boost for cancer campaign' as national chief writes strong letter of support for radiotherapy at Westmorland General Hospital

Today the Government's National Clinical Director for Cancer and End of Life Care, Professor Sir Mike Richards, has written to the Director of Services and Commercial Development for the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Patrick McGahon, to add his support to the campaign to bring radiotherapy treatment back to Westmorland General Hospital.

This follows a meeting between Tim Farron and Professor Sir Mike Richards before Christmas in Westminster, where he presented the business plan for a radiotherapy centre at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

This formal letter of support for the proposal is yet another important step forward in the campaign which now has won the support of over 8,000 local people who have signed the petition backing the bid.

Commenting this morning Tim said: "I am delighted that Professor Richards has taken a personal interest in our bid and that he has now formally added his support to our campaign. That he believes our proposals are sensible and important if we are to meet the increasing demand for radiotherapy across Lancashire and South Cumbria is a crucial boost to our bid. I am certain that the decision makers at the Cumbria and Lancashire Collaborative Commissioning Team will take Professor Richards' support very seriously indeed".

"Bringing radiotherapy to the South Lakes is absolutely essential to ensure patients do not have to travel debilitating distances to receive treatment and can instead be close to family and friends at a time when they most need their support."