Close to Home: have your say

The long-awaited public consultation on the future of Health services in Cumbria is now expected to be launched on or about 19th September.

The document "Close to Home" is expected to cover all health issues in the county including the future of West Cumberland Hospital, Millom Community Hospital, and Mary Hewetson Cottage Hospital in Keswick: it will also cover GP and dental services.

The consultation will last some 13 weeks.

Doubtless as a result of the mauling which successive NHS leaderships have received at public meetings in Whitehaven and elsewhere in Cumbria, the Primary Care Trust has decided to go for an Open Day format in which people can drop in to speak to NHS representatives on a 1:1 basis.

This makes it all the more important that everyone with an interest in the future of our local hospitals and health services should come along to the Open Day events and have your say.