Kentmere Closure Would Leave South Lakes With Among the Worst Access To Mental Health Services In The Country

South Lakes residents will have to travel some of the longest distances in the country to access mental health services if the Kentmere Ward closure goes ahead, a recent government report shows.

Local MP Tim Farron has highlighted a government report released last week which showed that just 4% of patients in adult acute mental health inpatient care had to travel 50km or more from their home.

However, if the Kentmere Ward closes, all Kendal residents and a significant proportion of other residents across South Lakeland will have to travel at least this distance to access services in Barrow, Whitehaven and Carlisle.

Tim said: "Mental health services are so important for so many people in our community, we cannot afford to lose this vital service. This report shows that the closure of this ward would see South Lakes residents travelling some of the longest distances in the country to access these services - this is not acceptable.

"Moving services to Barrow, Whitehaven and Carlisle would be particularly damaging because it would make it much more difficult for the friends and family of those receiving treatment to be able to visit and support them."