Closer to Home - we need more information

Attended several meetings about the "Closer to Home" NHS consultation this week.

For this consultation it is really essential that the trust releases more information about some of the key issues.

For example, nobody can realistically have an informed view on the merits of the proposals that the West Cumberland should not have out-ot-hours emergency surgery until we have figures on how what operations and conditions are involved and how many extra transfers to Carlisle or elsewhere will be necessary as a result.

There have been so many unproductive consultations in the past. If the trust wants us to move forward as a united community they must do more to share information and answer some of the questions coming forward.