MP on Baycall fact-finding mission

10.34.47am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Sep 2006

Local MP Tim Farron visited the Baycall centre at Westmorland General Hospital last night to meet with the doctors, nurses and call handlers who assist the people of the Morecambe Bay area outside of normal working hours.

Tim Farron said:

"It was a pleasure to meet with the dedicated, expert staff and to see them at work providing help to people across the area. The Government's decision to change the GP contract two years ago meant that GPs no longer provide out-of-hours on call services from their local surgery, which is a real shame.

"Nevertheless, Baycall have taken up the challenge of providing those services, and are performing superbly. From my own personal experience I know that they do an excellent job. I was particularly impressed with the sensitivity shown by the nurses and call handlers, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to see the operation from the inside".