HEALTH bosses have spoken out about the proposed move of an on-call GP from Westmorland General to Barrow during early hours from Tuesday to Thursday.

Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) operates an out-of-hours primary contract for all of Cumbria, including for services out of Westmorland General in Kendal. Access is via NHS 111 and appointments are on a pre-bookable basis. 

It is looking to reduce the presence of a clinician at Westmorland General between 2am and 8am from Tuesday to Thursday. 

David Glover, the chief operating officer for CHoC, said: "This is after a period of analysis that demonstrates that the requirement for the service is very much reduced and those patients who do require attention would still have access to the service they require."

Craig Harris, chief of strategy from NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: "We are aware of the proposal by Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) to relocate the on-call GP service currently based at Westmorland General Hospital to Barrow. 

“There is currently little to no activity between 2am and 8am Tuesday to Thursday at Westmorland General, whereas services in Barrow are struggling to meet demand. CHoC has confirmed that if anyone is in need of a face-to-face appointment during these hours the GP from Penrith can be with them in around 30 minutes.

READ MORE: Cumbria Health on Call to reduce service at Westmorland General

“We do however understand the concerns raised. The contract for this service has been inherited by the ICB and does not specify the locations of staff. We will work with CHoC to ensure a satisfactory service is available for all people living across South Cumbria, no matter what part of the area they are in.”

Sometimes people living at home in palliative care or with care support needs may require a doctor urgently but not an ambulance. 

The South Lakes MP Tim Farron launched a petition last week to maintain CHOC's current hours at Westmorland General.

He said: "This reduction in our local health service is completely unacceptable and must be stopped.

“It is not acceptable to put vulnerable people, including those receiving palliative care, families caring for loved ones with dementia and patients with learning difficulties, in a position where they will have to wait much longer to receive care – especially those in our most rural areas."