MP secures meeting with health minister over radiotherapy unit for South Lakes

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, local MP Tim Farron secured a meeting with the health minister, Seema Kennedy, to discuss the need for a radiotherapy unit at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

Speaking during Health questions, Tim said: "Would the Secretary of State agree to look personally at the case for a new satellite radiotherapy unit to the Westmorland General Hospital tied to the Rosemere unit in Preston?

"Last week I had the privilege of driving a constituent of mine, Kate Baron, for her treatment at the Preston hospital.

"Wonderful treatment though it is there was a three-hour round trip for her - on 15 separate occasions.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of people in the South Lakes having to make debilitating lengthy roundtrips to get treatment day after day after day which is damaging to their long-term health and indeed their ability to access radiotherapy at all."

In response, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I can see the point that he is making and the public health minister who's responsible for cancer policy will be very happy to meet with him."