MP WELCOMES BREAKTHROUGH IN CAMPAIGN TO SAVE EMERGENCY WARDS AT WGH

Tim Farron has welcomed the encouraging statements made by the Chair and Chief Executive of Cumbria's PCT at last night's 'Great Health Debate' held at the Riverside Hotel in Kendal.

In response to a question from Tim, PCT Chair Maggie Chadwick and Chief Executive Sue Page indicated that the PCT was looking again at the plans to close emergency wards at the Westmorland General Hospital, with the strong probability that this would lead to a new set of proposals being presented to the public later this year.

"This could be a real turning point in the campaign to protect our hospital" said Tim. "It appears that the PCT will be launching a new consultation in the summer which would mean that the current proposal to close the emergency wards will be dropped. We don't know what options the PCT will present, but we at least know that the immediate threat of closure should be lifted. The campaign that we as a community have run to prevent the closures looks to have made the difference - its about time that the thousands of us who signed the petition against the closures and joined the protest march had our views taken into account."

The meeting also discussed the new Clinical Assessment and Treatment Support services centres that are being imposed on our area. Tim Farron expressed his concern that the centres would be located a long way from most people in his constituency - the nearest one being planned for Ulverston. In response, the PCT representatives agreed to look again at the possibility of placing a centre at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

Mr Farron also voiced his concerns as at least 50 people were turned away from the meeting. The PCT has agreed to do a private session with those people if they get in touch. If people would like to arrange a session with the PCT, they should get in touch with Mr Farron's office on 01539 723403, or by email at tim@timfarron.co.uk.