Hospital Sites

The local NHS keeps saying that it will be consulting shortly on a new site for West Cumberland Hospital, although the date keeps going back.

They are currently talking about launching a consultation in the spring with a decision by May.

Copeland Council has been preparing proposals to put to the trust concerning possible sites. At one point the council had previously identified five possible sites, but had dismissed suggestions that the Pow Beck site was the preferred option.

The Executive report to today's full council meeting said that the council is concentrating on two of these sites, at Hensingham near the existing hospital and at Pow Beck. The site for the latter option was described today as being at The Ginns, which is subject to a lower risk of flooding than some parts of Pow Beck but still has access issues.

The final decision will be taken by the Trust, not the council. It may become very important for as many people as possible to lobby to make sure the hospital stays in Whitehaven.