Thoughts on driving through the Cumbrian Fells

I have lived with my family in West Cumbria for twelve years now and the beauty of this area still has the power to take my breath away.

We've had some very cold weather and some foul weather over the past few days: and since earlier this week the fells and mountains like Scafell Pike have been snow-capped.

I had a long journey back home this lunchtime after a meeting (at which the success regime proposals for our local hospitals and the need to boost recruitment was on the agenda) and after dropping a colleague who had attended it back home.

It had been a grey and wet morning but the sky suddenly cleared as I was driving along a very high stretch of road.

I was suddenly presented with an amazing vista of rolling fields, hills and mountains, the furthest of which were more than twenty miles away, gleaming white in the sun. There are no words to describe how beautiful it was, but it reminded me that Cumbria is one of the most lovely places in the world.

When we are trying to recruit people to staff our hospitals we ought to do more to emphasise how fantastically lovely this are is and some of the other very real health and quality of life advantages of living here.

Strong turnout at Whitehaven NHS public meeting

I have just returned from the "success regime" public meeting about proposals for our local NHS held at the URC church in Whitehaven.

Despite the filthy weather there was a very respectable turnout at the meeting.

A lot of excellent points were raised from the floor by local residents and employees of the NHS who were concerned about the need to maintain local services. The largest single concern was about the need for a consultant-led maternity unit at West Cumberland Hospital (WCH) though stroke care, paediatrics, and other services were also discussed.

In particular it was argued by many people (including me) that the journey time to Carlisle for those mothers who require urgent intervention, such as those needing what are called "crash caesareans" poses too great a risk to those mothers and their babies.

The NHS representatives acknowledged that this risk would exist under their proposals and said that they are trying to balance different risks. They said there is no ideal option (a point on which I accept that they are right) and added that they would like to retain consultant-lead maternity at WCH if they can see a safe and sustainable way to do it.

This means that the challenge for us as a community is to convince them that it can be done.

I hope I am right when I say that I did get the impression that the Trust/Success Regime representatives were genuinely listening. But we have to keep up the pressure.

REMINDER - FORTHCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS ON HEALTHCARE IN CUMBRIA

Please can I remind everyone reading this who cares about healthcare in West and North Cumbria that the "success regime" consultation continues and it is incredibly important that you let the Trust know your views.

Maternity is particularly controversial but there are also important issues under discussion affecting A&E, stroke care and community hospitals.

In particular there are important public meetings next week and in the latter part of November. It is really important that we have a good turnout for these.

Details can be found on the success regime's consultation website at

  http://www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk/

You can read the consultation document online at

 http://www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk/consultation-document/

and comment on it online at http://www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk/consultation-questionaire/


These are the dates and venues for the forthcoming public meetings

• Workington, Monday 7th Nov – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – Carnegie Theatre, Finkle Street, CA14 2BD
• Whitehaven, Tuesday 8th Nov – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – URC Church, James Street, CA28 7HZ
• Cockermouth, Wednesday 9th Nov – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – Eco Centre, Cockermouth School, Castlegate Drive, CA13 9HF
• Brampton, Monday 21st Nov – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – William Howard School, Longtown Road, CA8 1AR
• Keswick, Monday 28th Nov – 7pm to 9pm – Queen Anne’s Hall, Keswick School, Vicarage Hill, CA12 5QB
• Carlisle, Tuesday 29th Nov – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Ballroom, Crown & Mitre Hotel, 4 English Street, CA3 8HZ
• Egremont, Wednesday 30th Nov – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – The Falcon Club, Croadella Avenue, CA22 2QN

The future of WCH and healthcare in West Cumbria: consultation continues

I have spent a good part of today working on a submission in respect of maternity at West Cumberland Hospital which will be made public in due course.

In the meantime can I remind everyone reading this who cares about healthcare in West and North Cumbria that the "success regime" consultation continues and it is incredibly important that you let the Trust know your views.

Details can be found on the success regime's consultation website at

  http://www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk/

You can read the consultation document online at

 http://www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk/consultation-document/

and comment on it online at http://www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk/consultation-questionaire/


These are the details of the remaining public meetings

• Workington, Monday 7th Nov – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – Carnegie Theatre, Finkle Street, CA14 2BD
• Whitehaven, Tuesday 8th Nov – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – URC Church, James Street, CA28 7HZ
• Cockermouth, Wednesday 9th Nov – 6.30pm to 8.30pm – Eco Centre, Cockermouth School, Castlegate Drive, CA13 9HF
• Brampton, Monday 21st Nov – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – William Howard School, Longtown Road, CA8 1AR
• Keswick, Monday 28th Nov – 7pm to 9pm – Queen Anne’s Hall, Keswick School, Vicarage Hill, CA12 5QB
• Carlisle, Tuesday 29th Nov – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Ballroom, Crown & Mitre Hotel, 4 English Street, CA3 8HZ
• Egremont, Wednesday 30th Nov – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – The Falcon Club, Croadella Avenue, CA22 2QN