MP says hospital crisis could be alleviated if acute services are brought back to Westmorland General

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today called on hospital bosses to help alleviate pressure on Furness General and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary by moving acute services back to Westmorland General Hospital.

Following health regulator Monitor's recent intervention, there are a number of external experts at the Trust undertaking three simultaneous reviews. They are conducting a diagnostic review; a governance review; and the review of the outpatients follow up appointments issue. Following these reviews, the experts will work with the Trust to design detailed action plans to address issues identified.

Tim led the campaign against the closure of acute services at Westmorland General and has continued to campaign for their return ever since closure took place in August 2008.

Tim commented: "The recent problems at the trust have proven us right when we said four years ago that closure of the heart unit at Westmorland General would create a knock on effect at Lancaster and Barrow that would be difficult and dangerous. It gives me no pleasure to say 'I told you so'. I want health bosses to bring back acute services to Westmorland General as a step towards fixing some of the many problems being highlighted at the hospital trust."