Cumbria Primary Care Trust’s proposals to deliver more care closer to people’s homes represent a joined up vision for a radically reshaped healthcare system in North Cumbria.
That is the verdict of Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet who today agreed their formal response to the Primary Care Trust’s ‘Closer to Home’ consultation.
The proposals in the consultation, which ends on 1 February, have been broadly welcomed by the county council with particular support given to those elements which lay the groundwork for closer working between health and social care in the community.
In the coming weeks, the county council will begin consulting on its own plans to invest millions of pounds in six new, state-of-the-art residential homes.
The council's plans, which are closely linked to the Primary Care Trust’s ‘Closer to Home’ proposals would see modern spacious homes built on the sites of new and existing community hospital sites in Wigton, Keswick, Brampton, Millom, Alston and Penrith.
Councillor Tim Stoddard, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: "The Primary Care Trust’s proposals reflect many of the county council’s aspirations for joined-up health and social care services.
"The Trust’s willingness to canvass a wide range of views and opinions has been evident for all to see and while there will inevitably be some areas of disagreement, we are confident that Closer to Home represents a positive roadmap for health care in North Cumbria for the future.
"It is not too late to respond to the Closer to Home consultation and I would encourage as many people as possible to do so before it finishes at the end of this month."
The county council’s Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel will meet on 28 January to agree its response to the Closer to Home consultation.
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