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29/08/2025

New health hub to start at Carlisle clinic 🩺

Details have been announced for significant changes to healthcare delivery locally after some medical practices stepped back from secondary care services to focus on core primary care.

From next week a new community hub at Hilltop Heights will provide the care.

It follows the move by many GPs in North Cumbria to withdraw from providing follow-up tests and care traditionally handled on behalf of hospitals, including ECG testing for secondary care, post-operative wound care, suture removal, and specialised blood tests such as pre-operative and chemotherapy monitoring.

For a number of weeks that meant cancer patients having to make long journeys for follow-up blood tests, for example.

But now North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) has established community hubs to maintain these services locally, with a pre-bookable service launching from 1 September. All appointments must be pre-arranged through secondary care teams, who will advise patients on booking procedures.

In addition to Hilltop Heights, the community hubs are at Brampton, Maryport and Wigton hospitals, Eden Scheduled Care in Penrith Hospital, plus Flatt Walks in Whitehaven for post-operative care.

Current patients receiving care at the clinic will receive full details about accessing services through the new system. ECG testing required as part of GP appointments will continue at the practice as normal.

23/08/2025

With summer here and the kids off school, it’s the perfect time to explore some less well-known parts Cumbria – its beaches ⛱️

One - Silecroft - has recently featured in The Times’ UK’s 50 best beaches for 2025. You’ll need a car to get there though.

So we’ve picked a selection you can get to by bus and leave the car at home, from the Solway Firth in the north to the Furness peninsula in the south 🚌

And if you take a Stagecoach bus then up to three kids (aged 5 and under) can travel for free and it’s just £3 for a single fare for everyone else.

More here 👉 https://weareintro.co.uk/2025/08/18/the-best-beaches-in-cumbria-by-bus/

16/08/2025

Veteran refugee campaigner Alf Dubs unveiled a commemorative plaque at Carlisle Lake District Airport to mark 80 years since the arrival of the Windermere Children.

On August 13, 1945, 300 children who had survived the Holocaust landed at RAF Crosby-on-Eden, as it was known then. They were given support in Cumbria - a story which has been the subject of a doc- drama film which is available on Amazon Prime and Youtube.

The plaque was arranged by Carlisle and District Civic Trust and its chair Mike Little outlined how the Windermere Children arrived in 10 converted Stirling bombers. He also outlined the story of one Polish boy witnessed the horrors of the N**i concentration camps and was offered a new life in the UK after being spotted by British officers.

Guests at the ceremony were also treated to a commemorative fly-over by Carlisle Flight Club organised by the Solway Aviation Museum.

Lord Dubs was invited to unveil the commemorative plaque by former Carlisle MP Eric Martlew who is a member of the Trust.

He said: "I came to England on a Kindertransport from Czechoslovakia, had I not have come on a Kindertransport and had I survived the holocaust, I could have been one of the Windermere Children myself.

"I fear we have not learned the lessons of history, and I think it is a real tragedy. The Government recently announced it would take 300 children from Gaza for medical help, which I think is a good idea. I think as a country we can carry on the tradition of the Windermere Children by showing humanity, respect and decency.

"The Windermere Children came here and they were given hope and we should carry on giving hope to other refugee children who come for safety from terrible experiences in their own countries."

08/08/2025

Patients will have to travel further for blood tests, wound care and other routine procedures because GPs are refusing to do work they say should be delivered by hospitals and specialist teams.

GP practices across North Cumbria have ceased providing the services, claiming they were accounting for 25-30 per cent of GPs' daily workload.

That means patients are being redirected to a number of GP practices that are providing interim support before community hubs provide the care from 1 September.

Dr Robert Westgate, Chair of the North Cumbria Local Medical Committee, explained that hospital-related tasks were impacting appointment availability for core GP services.

He said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in work passed from other parts of the health system to GPs, including prescriptions, referrals and test follow-ups that fall outside the scope of our contracts. This is something we now need to address, not to pass on responsibility, but to ensure that general practice can remain safe, available and sustainable for the future.

"These changes will ensure patients still receive the care they need - often more directly from the specialist service managing their condition. We will continue to work constructively with our colleagues across health and care settings to support patients appropriately.”

The services affected include post-operative blood tests, chemotherapy-related monitoring, ECGs for mental health medications, and wound care. However, practices will continue providing enhanced services like DMARD monitoring, hormone injections, vaccinations, NHS health checks, and minor injuries treatment.

01/08/2025

Carlisle MP Julie Minns is urging local residents to attend a community meeting next Tuesday to share their experiences of maternity and neonatal services.

The meeting, scheduled for 6pm on 5 August, forms part of the Government's national investigation into NHS maternity care announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting in June.

"Every woman, baby and family has the right to expect safe and effective maternity care, wherever they are," Ms Minns said. "This meeting gives local people the opportunity to share their experiences and help me build a picture of how effective and safe maternity care in our area is."

The national investigation aims to create actions for improving care across every NHS maternity service following ongoing concerns about standards.

Residents can register online here, by emailing [email protected], or calling 01228 479 441. Registration requires name, address and contact details, with venue details to be confirmed.

The session is part of Ms Minns' Community Matters series, following a July meeting on local bus services.

25/07/2025

The public is being warned to expect significant disruption at Cumbrian hospitals as resident doctors began a five-day strike at 7am today ⚠️

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) has been preparing for the industrial action which will force the postponement of some appointments and planned treatments, though emergency and urgent care services will continue operating. Patients whose appointments are affected will be contacted directly by the Trust, while others should attend as scheduled.

Dr Adrian Clements, Executive Medical Director at NCIC, above, emphasised that patient safety remained the top priority during the strike period. "We are prioritising emergency and urgent care, inpatient services and clinically urgent care," he said. However, some outpatient clinics and planned surgeries have been postponed, with rebooking planned as soon as possible.

The Urgent Treatment Centre at Keswick will close on Sunday, 27 July, though facilities at Penrith, Cumberland Infirmary, and West Cumberland Hospital remain open. Extended waiting times are expected due to reduced medical staffing.

The Trust is urging the public to use emergency services only for genuine life-threatening conditions and consider alternatives like GPs or pharmacies for non-urgent issues. Families are also encouraged to support the early discharge of ready inpatients to free up beds.

13/07/2025

The new Curated Cumbria newsletter aimed at showcasing Cumbria’s vibrant arts and culture scene has attracted over 1,000 subscribers in the few weeks since its launch 🎉

You can sign up here 👉 https://curatedcumbria.substack.com

Curated Cumbria’s free weekly selection of articles and listings drops into subscribers’ inboxes every Wednesday. It covers everything from live music and theatre to visual arts, literature, and family-friendly events across the county.

The newsletter’s mission extends beyond simple event listings. It aims to shine a spotlight on the people, places, and performances that contribute to Cumbria’s rich and diverse creative landscape.

Recent articles have included an exclusive interview with Andy Smith, one of the founders of Kendal Calling, profiles of local artists, and a bespoke theatre review.

The project is a collaboration between Cumbria Arts & Culture Network and Intro.

Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4lFZ15X

04/07/2025

On Sunday 6 July at 6pm, Wetheral Choir will hold its final Choral Evensong before the summer break.

This occasion also marks Verity Ramsden’s final service as Director of Music. To celebrate the close of the choir year, more than 30 singers from across Cumbria will join in what promises to be a very special service.

The Rev’d Canon Dr Benjamin Carter, Canon Warden at Carlisle Cathedral, will lead the service and preach the homily. Musical highlights include the premiere of God of thy Goodness, a new composition by David T Shingler, written especially for Wetheral Choir.

All are warmly invited to attend this memorable evening.

27/06/2025

Tullie transforms into a prehistoric wonderland this summer with the extraordinary Dinosaur rEvolution exhibition 🦖

This groundbreaking display opens this weekend running from 28 June to 14 September. It reimagines dinosaurs through cutting-edge science, presenting them as fast, feathered, and vibrantly coloured creatures rather than the dusty reptiles of outdated textbooks.

Six roaring animatronic dinosaurs anchor the experience, accompanied by striking artwork from renowned palaeo-artist Luis V Rey, replica skeletons, and fossil casts.

The exhibition, developed by Gondwana Studios and previously showcased in New Zealand, Australia, and London's Horniman Museum, showcases scientific discovery along with displays that will amaze and delight dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.

Anna Smalley, Head of Collections & Engagement, promises surprises with "the scale and realism of these creatures" and latest discoveries making them "more dynamic and fascinating than ever".

Complementing the main exhibition is a comprehensive programme featuring fossil hunts, film screenings, escape room quests, and evening events including death metal nights, ensuring entertainment for all ages and interests.

20/06/2025

On Thursday 3 July, La23net will be taking over the historic home of William Wordsworth, Rydal Mount and Gardens in Ambleside for a business networking event ☀️

This is the place where poetry, nature and incredible views collide.

Picture the scene… a guided tour through the blooming gardens, drinks with a glorious view of Windermere as your backdrop, and poetry readings in the very place they were written.

You can expect relaxed summer vibes, drinks, local treats (such as Grasmere Gingerbread), and plenty of time to network in one of the Lake District’s most inspiring locations.

Get tickets here 👉 https://bit.ly/LA23NETJuly

15/06/2025

Like father, like son on the buses 🚌

Two father-and-son pairs at Stagecoach Cumbria's Carlisle depot prove that bus driving runs in the family.

For Father's Day, the company celebrates these unique workplace relationships that strengthen both family ties and professional excellence.

Craig Sadler, 55, brought his son Jayson into the business after seven years with Stagecoach. "I love the job - it's the people," Craig explains, highlighting connections with regular passengers and fellow drivers. Jayson, 27, appreciates the independence: "You're your own boss once you're on the road."

The Irving-Lahey duo, flipped the script when George Lahey, 58, followed his son Craig Irving into bus driving. After 11 years at Stagecoach, Craig helped his father secure a position six years ago. George values the public service aspect: "People rely on the bus - it's essential."

Managing Director Tom Waterhouse sees these family partnerships as testament to bus driving's appeal as a fulfilling career choice.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/3HxVwiK

30/05/2025

A new weekly newsletter dedicated to showcasing the very best of the county’s vibrant arts and culture has been launched by Intro, publishers of this newsletter 📰🖼️

Brought to you by Intro in partnership with the Cumbria Arts & Culture Network, the newsletter aims to shine a light on the people, places and performances that make Cumbria’s creative life so rich and diverse.

From live music and theatre to visual arts, literature, and family-friendly events, Curated Cumbria will land in your inbox every week with a carefully selected round-up of what’s happening across the county.

This week's newsletter includes: Kendal Calling's Blondie secret; a round-up of the amazing writers heading to Cumbria; a preview of University of Cumbria's degree show plus our what's on listings to showcase all the brilliant art and culture we have in our county.

Check out Curated Cumbria here 👉 https://bit.ly/43zMM2O

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