Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has said he was “gobsmacked” after the Minister for Environment, Rebecca Pow, described attempts from local campaigners in Coniston and Staveley to protect lakes and rivers from sewage as “irrelevant”. On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, Tim challenged the Government as to why they had turned down… Continue reading Conservative Environment Minister labels Cumbria’s sewage scandal ‘irrelevant’

Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice as quickly as within 48 hours Nitrous oxide to be banned and police given more powers to test for drugs on arrest Police and local authorities given the tools they need to tackle the problem Powers for councils to bring empty shops back into use and… Continue reading MP welcomes action plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour and restore pride in Furness

A senior figure at the University of Cumbria is joining the steering group of the ‘Better Tomorrows’ programme. Dr Amanda Taylor-Beswick, director of Centre for Digital Transformation at the University of Cumbria, will represent the university as the programme continues to establish youth work training and opportunities to make a difference to the lives of… Continue reading Supporting ‘Better Tomorrows’ for Cumbria’s young people

Macmillan relaunched its Cancer Information and Support Service (MCISS) at Furness General Hospital (FGH) last week. The service has been renamed as the ‘Furness General Hospital Macmillan Information and Support Centre’. The service can be found on Level 4 of FGH, opposite the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) shop. The purpose-built space boasts an office and quiet room with a feature wall which will allow the team to carry out face-to-face appointments. The redevelopment was funded by Bay Hospitals Charity and two grants from Macmillan Cancer Support. Previously, the service ran from an open pod at the entrance of FGH which was temporarily closed during the pandemic. A telephone support service which was put in place continues to support patients. Patient feedback has included: · “I recently reached out to the service at Lancaster, I am delighted to see the relaunch of the centre in Barrow. I have looked around the new centre. The new centre feels friendly, set in a private environment at the main entrance of Furness General Hospital. I am sure patients and their families, friends or carers will welcome this local face-to-face service” Sallie Robinson, Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service Manager, said: “This is a really generous joint venture between Bay Hospitals Charity and Macmillan. It’s created a beautiful, welcoming environment, with the idea that our service will be able to offer face-to-face appointments and drop-in support which will benefit the local area of Barrow. “It is fantastic that Macmillan has also separately funded a new MCISS assistant who will be supporting the service at Barrow along with our volunteers.” Barry Rigg, Head of Patient Experience at UHMBT, added: “We are so pleased that the Macmillan Centre is now available to provide support to patients at Furness General Hospital. I am sure that it is going to be an invaluable resource for our patients and the wider public. “Cancer services are a key area of focus for the Trust and this is an area where we are constantly driving improvements. The newly refreshed service from Macmillan can only serve to enhance the care we offer, now and in the years to come.” Suzanne Lofthouse, Head of Charities and Fundraising for Bay Hospitals Charity, said: “Bay Hospitals Charity are proud to support such a worth and invaluable service, the charity not only provides state of the art equipment and funding to train our fantastic staff but also services like this to help our community in times of need and when they need it the most. Without the support of our wonderful supporters, we wouldn’t be able to fund these much-needed Cancer services. If you wish to support Bay Hospitals Charity to fund more initiatives like this please donate at www.bayhospitalscharity.org.” You can find out more about the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service at the Trust here https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/our-services/services/cancer-services/macmillan-information-and-support-service.

The team behind the Lancashire and South Cumbria Reproductive Trauma Service have been shortlisted for a national award, recognising their pioneering approach to working across maternity and mental health. The service was launched just one year ago and has now been recognised with a nomination in the ‘Outstanding contribution to midwifery services: Perinatal Mental Health’… Continue reading New maternal mental health service shortlisted for top award

Police are appealing for witnesses to a single-vehicle collision. It happened at 8.10pm on February 13 on Rayrigg Road, Bowness-on-Windermere. It involved a white Nissan X-Trail, which was in collision with a roadside wall before coming to rest across the carriageway. The vehicle’s occupants were seen to make off from the scene. Anyone with witnessed… Continue reading Local Appeal – Witnesses to a single-vehicle collision involving a white Nissan X-Trail

A planning application has been submitted for a once-in-a-generation scheme to regenerate part of Barrow’s town centre to ensure it can thrive into the future. Barrow’s Market Hall is key to a £17.5 million Levelling Up Fund scheme to reinvigorate the building and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town… Continue reading Planning application submitted for Town Centre Regeneration Scheme

Cumbria County Council met for the last time on Thursday (23 March) after almost 50 years of service to the people of Cumbria. Councillors from all parties said their farewells, reflected on the achievements of the county council over the years and paid tribute to councillors John Bell and Arthur Lamb, who both sadly passed… Continue reading County council meets for final time after 50 years of service

Officers are reminding members of the public to report any concerns they have on public safety or crime to police rather than speculate online. The message follows a number of incidents which have come to light recently which generated undue concern and speculation on social media channels. Chief Superintendent Matt Kennerley, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We… Continue reading People urged to report any concerns to police