MP visits Rosemere Cancer Centre as part of campaign to bring radiotherapy to Westmorland General Hospital

This week, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron visited the Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston to see their brand new AI-powered linear accelerator.

The new machine will give more targeted treatment, leading to patients having to make fewer trips for radiotherapy.

Rosemere is currently the nearest radiotherapy unit for people living in South Cumbria, meaning people have to take two-three hour round journeys for several days to receive treatment.

Clinicians told Tim that there had been a 15% increase in the number of patients coming for treatment in the past 12 months.

Speaking after the visit, Tim said: “It was a pleasure to visit the fantastic Rosemere Centre to see the brand new state of the art linear accelerator and to thank the wonderful staff who treat so many patients from South Cumbria.

“I also spoke to patients including a gentleman from Kendal who was having to make more than 30 roundtrips which are taking seven and a half hours each time because he was taking hospital transport which was stopping all round the houses to pick up and drop off patients.

“It’s stories like this that make me even more determined that we convince health bosses to bring radiotherapy to Westmorland General Hospital so that people aren’t forced to make these long journeys for lifesaving treatment.”