MP encourages local people to make their voice heard on radiotherapy services after consultation deadline extended
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that local people will be able to have their say on radiotherapy services after the deadline for a national consultation was extended from 18th December until 24th January.
On Friday, Tim met with Dr Michael Gregory and Andrew Bibby from NHS England to discuss the lack of access to radiotherapy treatment for people living in South Cumbria.
Tim said: "My main purpose was to talk to them about how they need to take account of travel times to get treatment, as new radiotherapy services are revealed around the country.
"We all know the treatment that we get at Preston is great - but the travel times are unbearably long for too many people.
"We talked about the distance, not just by car but by public transport - from some parts of South Lakeland it takes 3 hours to get to Preston by public transport. So, getting this issue on their agenda was really important.
"Another positive to come from our meeting was that the consultation, which was due to close today, has now been extended to 24th January.
"That's great news because it gives us more chance for more of us to put our views across.
"I would encourage anyone who has experience of needing radiotherapy to take this opportunity to tell your story.
"By taking the 5 or 10 minutes it takes to answer the consultation, you will make it much more likely that we'll win our campaign to bring radiotherapy to Westmorland General."
To take part in the consultation, head to https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/radiotherapy-service-specification-consultation/