MP supports bid for new cancer centre in south Cumbria

11.56.28am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Oct 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has joined with health professionals to campaign for a new cancer unit in south Cumbria. Currently patients requiring treatment for cancer have to travel to Carlisle or Preston, enduring some of the longest distances in the UK for cancer treatment.

NHS Cumbria has announced this morning that it is working with other PCTs in the region to assess the feasibility of a new cancer unit, possibly at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal. Tim has set up a number of high-level meetings with the government in London to support the bid, including a meeting with the national cancer tsar, Professor Mike Richards, on Monday 10 November. He is also seeking a parliamentary debate with health ministers on the bid.

Speaking this morning, Tim said: "I'm delighted to be working with the PCT and hospitals' trust on this bid. The gap in cancer treatment between Carlisle and Preston is one of the largest in the UK, and that has a serious impact of the recovery of my constituents who suffer from cancer.

"With support from across the community we can make a big difference to people suffering with cancer, and hopefully bring a lease of new life to the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal."