Good news the new Medical Centre in Grange has finally been fully signed off by all partners. This now means there should be no more obstacles to hinder the start of the build.
The Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust has been given the all clear on their Maternity Services at Furness General Hospital by the Care Quality Commission. This has been under scrutiny for the past 12months after major concerns on the care provided by the Trust to the residents of South Cumbria.
As part of their inspection, the CQC also spoke with local stakeholders, such as the local council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee who have a duty to look more closely into public services outside their own organisation which includes local NHS hospitals. They said they had not received any concerns from the public about the Royal Lancaster Infirmary or Furness General Hospital maternity units in recent months.
I would like to thank everyone for their support in my campaign to maintain a Vascular Centre at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. The Joint Health Scrutiny Committee of Cumbria and Lancashire will be meeting in late September to look at the proposals to go to just three centres in Cumbria and Lancashire.
These are proposed to be sited at Carlisle, Blackburn and Preston; this leaves a very large gap between Carlisle and Preston.
I have endeavoured to reply to everyone who sent me comments of support and I will make sure that all your points will be raised at the next committee on the 25th September.
As I write this report on the 21st September for Grange Now I will therefore have to bring everyone up to date on the campaign to keep our centre in Lancaster in my next report for the November edition.
Cumbria County Council Trading Standards and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service are reminding residents that they are offering free electric blanket testing sessions across the County. Residents can bring their blanket to be tested, by appointment only, between 9am and 5pm.
Tuesday 2 October - Victoria Hall, Grange
Wednesday 3 October - Methodist Church Hall, Ulverston
Safety checks will be undertaken by qualified staff who are able to correct minor faults. For those blankets which fail safety tests, Cumbria County Council will provide one replacement under-blanket per household.
This successful initiative which has been running for many years is still going strong thanks to funding from the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) and support from Age UK and voluntary care organisations.
Testing is strictly by appointment only with limited spaces left. So don’t delay, book your appointment today, contact Trading Standards on 01539 713594