GPs in South Cumbria can no longer treat minor injuries – and an MP has warned it will put people at risk.
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board recently decided to stop providing enhanced provision for assessment and treatment of minor injuries at GP practices.
Instead, it said it intended to offer an increased range of general practice services available to patients to better meet the needs of the community.
Windermere and Bowness Medical Practice issued a statement on social media this morning.
It said it could no longer see people for conditions including:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Breaks, sprains, and muscle strains
- Animal bites
- Burns and scalds
- Head injuries
- Contusions and superficial injuries
People are advised instead to go to their nearest urgent treatment centre – at Kendal or Keswick – A&E departments or pharmacies, which can provide advice and treatment. People can also call NHS 111.
At the time of the change, the board issued a statement.
Professor Craig Harris, chief operating officer for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “The ICB has recently undertaken a major review of the locally commissioned services provided by general practices to ensure we are commissioning consistently across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
“One of the services we have looked at is minor injuries, which is provided by general practices in a few parts of Lancashire and South Cumbria. After thoroughly considering the options, including engagement with clinical colleagues, a decision was made to discontinue the general practice service from May 1 as there are other minor injury services and sources of advice available to our local population.
“As part of this review, the ICB has increased investment into an extended range of general practice services which aim to provide more care closer to people’s homes.
“In case of minor injury, patients are advised to call NHS 111 or use 111 online and/or seek self-care advice from their local pharmacy.”
But Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham has urged care bosses to rethink the decision as she believed the new system could have a particularly negative impact on people living in towns like Millom and in other rural communities.
The MP has written to the board, urging the body to review its decision.
Mrs Scrogham said: “I am yet to see the details of these alternative services that are being proposed but I remain sceptical that they will serve rural areas and towns like Millom and Broughton which have few options when it comes to accessing healthcare.
“I will continue to argue the case and ask that careful consideration is given to the unique difficulties faced by rural towns and surrounding areas.”
In her letter, Mrs Scrogham said: “Many residents in these communities face significant barriers to accessing hospital services – barriers that are compounded by age, health conditions and limited transport options.”
Mrs Scrogham highlighted the case of a 75-year-old woman with multiple health conditions which have contributed to several recent falls.
After a fall that left the woman with bleeding wounds, she could not get the minor injuries medical help needed because of these changes.
Poor transport options meant it would have taken her over an hour and a half to get Furness General Hospital.
Mrs Scrogham added: “This is not an isolated case. It reflects a broader issue affecting our towns and rural communities who rely on accessible, local care.
“The withdrawal of minor injuries services disproportionally affects those with complex conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease, where physical accessibility present additional challenges.
“I urge the board to give further, careful consideration to the unique circumstances faced by Millom and its surrounding communities.
“These areas do not benefit from the same level of hospital access as other parts of the region. What steps will the board take to mitigate these barriers and ensure that vulnerable patients are not left without timely and appropriate care?
“I ask that the board reviews this decision in light of the disproportionate impact on vulnerable patients in rural areas and outlines what steps will be taken to ensure safe, equitable access to minor injuries care for all residents.”
Windermere and Bowness Medical Practice said anyone with questions or concerns should contact the board directly via lscicb-fw.patientexperience@nhs.net or by phone on 0300 373 3550.
