[A]s the flood water rose this weekend local residents and staff pulled together to protect the health centre from major damage.
On Saturday parts of south Cumbria, including Millom, were affected by heavy rain and localised flooding. This has affected many homes and the Millom Health Centre.
Residents, staff and community groups joined efforts to keep back the flood water and their quick work ensured everything was open as normal at 8am on Monday morning. Some areas of the health centre, including toilets, the waiting room and physiotherapy room, were flooded but damage to these areas was minimal. Alison Redshaw, practice manager at Millom surgery, explained: “The response from staff and the community was fantastic.
Off duty staff came in to support their colleagues and volunteers turned up to help however they could. It really was a brilliant effort and has helped us to keep disruption to patients to the absolute minimum.”
As a result of the quick work from staff and volunteers the impact of the flood was well contained. The GP surgery, hospital ward and all outpatient appointments are all running as normal. Patients are asked to bear with staff as the clean-up is completed.
Professor John Howarth, Deputy Chief Executive at Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, added:
“I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work over the weekend. We know how strong the community spirit is in Millom and it’s in challenging times like this that it really stands out.”
Jackie Daniel, Chief Executive at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is so heart-warming to see the community and health organisations pulling together in such desperate times to ensure the safety of the local people.”
