"Trust must row-back from plans to stop emergency medical admissions in Kendal" - Farron

12.16.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Jun 2006

In advance of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust board meeting on Wednesday, local MP Tim Farron has called on the board to row-back from plans to stop emergency medical admissions to the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

Tim said: "It is clear to me from the sheer number of letters and petitions which I have received that public opinion is very much against the Trust's latest plans. Local people want, and deserve, a good quality local hospital which provides a full range of services.

"Many contacting me are extremely concerned, as I am, about longer journey times to hospitals in Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness - leaving patients in areas such as Grasmere well over an hour from hospital.

"The Trust board needs to row-back from its plans in its pre-consultation process to stop emergency medical admissions at the Westmorland General, before it is too late."