Give lymphology centres long-term certainty by funding them directly by NHS England - MP

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, urging him to provide long-term certainty for lymphology centres by funding them directly by NHS England.

Currently over 240,000 people in the UK are living with lymphoedema, which, if not properly treated, can lead to traumatic complications such as limb amputations.

On Monday, Tim met staff and patients at Kendal Lymphology Centre.

Back in March, the centre feared that they would have to close after being given no assurances over their future from local health bosses.

But following a letter from Tim to stress the importance of the centre, Morecambe Bay CCG announced that funding will be put in place for the centre to continue for at least the next financial year.

Tim said: "It was great to meet patients and how they've benefited from the care they've received at the centre.

"Centres like the one here in Kendal provide a vital service for people with debilitating illnesses but they need to be able to be able to have certainty for the future.

"That's why I've written to the Health Secretary urging him to fund these centres directly by NHS England."