Partnership with Newcastle in Cumbria
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Statement
In collaboration with Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we have ‘declared an interest’ to acquire the service portfolio of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. The aim is to bring about integrated healthcare from the community based setting right through to highly specialised services provided for in the local as well as the when needed regional centre of excellence.
The geographical catchment is primarily North and West Cumbria. In an ever improving NHS, delivering informed choice linked to quality services shall we believe bring about a countywide ‘joined up’ opportunity for putting the patient first and foremost.
Newcastle has a longstanding involvement in serving Cumbrian residents as and when the need arises. As an NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to bringing about a more comprehensive, safe and progressive service.
Note: The North Cumbria University Hospitals have also invited two other NHS Foundation Hospitals Trusts ie Northumbria Healthcare and Morcambe Bay University Hospitals to ‘declare an interest’. It is understood the Board of Directors of North Cumbria University Hospitals shall determine which organisation is fit for purpose and hence best placed to look after the population this Trust currently cares for.
Joint News Release
Cumbria Partnership & Newcastle Hospitals launch Joint Expression of Interest to jointly manage North Cumbria University Hospitals
A unique alliance between The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust could soon be running services at North Cumbria’s two main hospitals.
The Boards of these two Foundation Trusts have joined together to work in partnership with the objective of taking over the provision of services at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven. This pragmatic opportunity shall significantly benefit the residents of North Cumbria, and the Chief Executives of both these organisations are today formally launching this creative and forward looking proposal.
Stephen Dalton, Chief Executive of Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chief Executive of The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust outlined their joint vision for a truly integrated health care system for North Cumbria that is focussed on every aspect of a patient’s needs whether they are at home, in the community or in hospital.
The alliance will bring a combined experience and proven track record of high performing Foundation Trusts responsible for treating over one million patients a year, employing 17,500 staff and providing around 2,200 hospital and community based beds.
Stephen Dalton, Chief Executive of Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said, “We are the only Countywide provider of health services and have a strong track record in terms of value for money and quality. Our alliance with Newcastle Hospitals is a genuinely exciting prospect for patients that would see their healthcare services delivered by one single joined up health care system. It would also provide first class training and development opportunities for staff based in North Cumbria to extend their partnership with some of the Country’s finest clinicians.
Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chief Executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said, “As part of the NHS family Newcastle Hospitals already deliver care to thousands people in Cumbria each year and combined with the experience of Cumbria Partnership in delivering local services, we are confident that we can bring more specialist services to Cumbria reducing the need for patients to travel to receive treatment. This requires a local solution and we are delighted to be joining forces with Cumbria Partnership. ”
Lisa Stephenson, mum to 6 month old Leylan from Maryport in Cumbria has been regularly travelling to the Great North Children’s Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for 6 months since her son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She said, “I am more than happy to go to Newcastle to see the specialists but it would be great to see these services come to North Cumbria so they are closer to home.”
The joint proposal includes a commitment to deliver a new hospital for West Cumbria and work with senior clinicians to develop the good foundations that have already been built in developing a clinical strategy.
This opportunity for change will now be considered by the Board of Directors at North Cumbria Acute University Hospitals NHS Trust who are expected to make a decision on a preference as to who the provider will be later this year.
Cumbria Partnership is the only healthcare provider already delivering services in Cumbria with experience of providing mental health and learning disability services and also took over responsibility for running Community Health Services throughout the county in April 2011. Newcastle Hospitals deliver the most comprehensive range of services of any NHS Trust in the north as well as in the country, including cancer care and treatment; specialist children services; major trauma; cardiothoracic medicine and surgery.
People in Cumbria are invited to leave their comments for the Partnership with Newcastle in Cumbria by writing to Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Voreda, Portland Place, Penrith CA11 7QQ or e-mail: partnershipwithnewcastle@cumbria.nhs.uk, or contact us on Twitter @CPFTNHS or #partnershipwithnewcastle
ENDS
1. For further information please contact the communications helpdesk on 01228 603890
To view the Partnership with Newcastle in Cumbria information brochure click here.
