URGENT CARE CENTRE AT WESTMORLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL

That this House notes that an extra 1,311 people have had to make use of accident and emergency (A&E) services in South Lakeland in 2016 compared to 2015, which represents a 1.5 per cent increase in demand; is concerned that the problems could be set to worsen, given that NHS services in Lancashire and South Cumbria face cuts of £572 million by 2021; thanks the dedicated NHS staff for the fantastic care they provide to local people, but recognises that there is a limit to what they are able to do with limited resources; further recognises the immense pressure being placed on the A&E department at Royal Lancaster Infirmary; calls therefore for a 24-hour Urgent Care Centre to be set up at Westmorland General Hospital, which although not a full A&E would deal with more serious cases than the hospital currently can; and further notes that setting up an Urgent Care Centre in Kendal would enable more cases to be seen there and relieve pressure on the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.