KENDAL CANCER UNIT MOVES A STEP CLOSER

MP Tim Farron today had a high level meeting with NHS Cumbria's Chief Executive, Sue Page where the two discussed progress towards the development of a new Cancer Unit at Westmorland General Hospital.

NHS Cumbria - formerly the Cumbria Primary Care Trust - is the body that would commission and pay for a new Cancer Unit. Sue Page agreed that the specification for a cancer unit would be drawn up with clinical specialists in the next few weeks. Mr Farron will be amongst the small number of people involved in this process.

Almost 6,000 local people have now signed Tim Farron's petition aimed at bringing a cancer unit to Kendal.

Commenting Tim said:

"Hundreds of people in our area have to travel to Preston or Carlisle to receive vital treatment.

"Cancer treatment can be incredibly tiring and can leave patients feeling extremely unwell. Having to make regular round trips of more than 100 miles to get treatment is not acceptable.

"We need our own cancer unit here in Westmorland and I'm delighted and encouraged that we are making real progress now. I won't rest, however, until the unit is built and up and running."