Penrith and The Border has more community hospitals than any other constituency in Britain (Brampton, Alston, Penrith, and Wigton). They are, have always been, and will always be under threat. In 2005 one in four of all Cumbrians signed a petition to keep the hospitals open. They were saved and the Primary Care Trust and its successors have since committed to keeping them.
The reason community hospitals matter more so now than ever before, is because our needs in Cumbria are changing. In the next twenty years we will have twice the number of people over 85 in Cumbria. Those aged over 65 is set to rise to 35 per cent over the same period, and hospital admissions are likely to rise by 60 per cent because of increasing long years of chronic illness. This will be a financial disaster for the NHS, which could face an extra 20 million pounds of costs in Alzheimers treatment in Cumbria alone, each year.
Rory has praised Eden Valley Hospice following a recent visit to see its new outdoor area and hear an update on its future plans. Professor Patricia Livsey, the Chief Executive of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, welcomed Mr Stewart to the Hospice and gave him a briefing on its recent work, before conducting him around […]
A great many constituents have contacted me about this, and so this is extremely welcome news. I’m delighted work has begun on the new barrier system, which will hopefully make a noticeable difference to those parking at the Cumberland Infirmary. This is a big step forward for patients and their families, who should no longer have to […]
Rory visited Winters Park Residential Home to meet residents and discuss care issues with the Manager. Winters Park Residential Home, run by Susan Thompson, General Manger, is located in a peaceful part of Penrith and supports up to 40 residents at any given time. Mrs Thompson was pleased to show Mr Stewart around the home, […]
Rory Stewart has paid tribute to the NHS on its 70th birthday, praising it as “a service which has inspired the world”. The 70th anniversary of the NHS’ foundation was marked with a range of celebrations, across both Cumbria and the country. In Westminster the NHS70 Parliamentary Awards were held, in which Cumbria Health on […]
Rory has congratulated Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) on its victory in the NHS70 Parliamentary Awards. CHoC, which operates in Rory’s constituency, was given the prestigious Excellence in Primary Care Award this afternoon, by a judging panel that examined nominations from across the United Kingdom. The NHS70 Awards, which are designed to recognise and celebrate […]
Penrith Town Hall is to participate in the “Go Blue” Campaign to celebrate the NHS’ 70th Birthday. Throughout the week of birthday celebrations, the Town Hall in Penrith will fly an NHS flag while, on 5 July, the day of the NHS’ birthday, staff will wear blue to work and the building’s windows will be illuminated […]
North Cumbria NHS Trust’s “Go Blue” campaign is to extend to The Palace of Westminster, which is to be lit with blue light on 5 July, to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the NHS. This North Cumbria NHS Trust campaign seeks to mark the Health Service’s birthday by lighting Cumbrian landmarks and buildings blue. It comes […]
Rory has visited Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) to congratulate them on being rated “outstanding” in the recent CQC inspection, and to wish them luck in the NHS70 Parliamentary Awards. CHoC, which is based in Carlisle, operates from three locations in Penrith and The Border and, in grateful recognition of their outstanding work, Rory nominated them […]
Rory Stewart MP has visited a new supported living facility at Churchrigg, on the outskirts of Wigton. Churchrigg is a converted farmhouse and barns that has been restored and adapted by the Graham family to create a functional home which meets the needs of individuals with a range of disabilities. The Graham’s primary aim was […]
Rory has welcomed the news that North Cumbria Health and Care System has been named as a pilot Integrated Care System (ICS) by NHS England and NHS Improvement. This means that North Cumbria will be part of a national pilot programme that will link up health and care services, empowering teams from different organisations to […]