PCT decision to re-examine acute medical services proposals should be welcomed - Farron

4.07.54pm GMT Fri 17th Nov 2006

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed the possible reprieve for acute medical services at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal. The new Chief Executive of Cumbria Primary Care Trust, Sue Page, made public comments today after the Trust's monthly board meeting. This news follows on from a meeting Tim had with Sue Page on Friday where Tim asked her to pull back from plans to cuts services at the Westmorland General.

Speaking after Sue Page made her comments, Tim Farron said:

"Sue Page's wish to re-examine the proposals to cut acute medical services from the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal should be welcomed.

"It is a refreshing change to see the voice of local residents being listened to in this way. While I recognise that Sue Page does not want to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater', it is clear that without the huge number of local people signing the petition against the cuts and marching through the streets of Kendal things could have been very different indeed.

"Since the new Cumbria PCT was formed, I have had a number of conversations with Trust bosses both by letter and in person. I will continue to make the case against cuts to our vital local health services clear during this re-examination process."