Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), the commissioner of NHS services across the area, recently shared its intention to make the temporary suspension of Level 3 Intensive Care services at Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow permanent.
Along with Sam Proffitt, the Acting Chief Executive for the ICB, I have met with Michelle Scrogham, the local MP for Barrow and Furness, to discuss the intention further - including specific concerns that have been raised with her directly by colleagues and constituents.
While the ICB has declared its intention to make the temporary change permanent, I would like to be clear that no final decision has been made.
As with any proposed change to a service, there is a process to follow that is led by the ICB and supported by the Trust.
The Westmorland and Furness Health and Adults Scrutiny Committee has requested a wide range of evidence and further information about the proposed change which will be considered by the Committee at its next meeting on 24 September in Barrow.
This Committee will take a view on the proposed change and whether they believe it meets the threshold for public consultation. Following that, the ICB will review all the information and make a final decision on the future model for ICU services at FGH in the autumn.
As a Trust, we share the ICB’s view that the final decision must follow the right process and be based on what the clinical evidence says is the safest option to deliver a sustainable ICU service in the Barrow area.
A key part of that is listening to the views of colleagues, stakeholders and our local communities.
Over the coming weeks, there will be further engagement opportunities for all to share their views so that these can be considered by the ICB when making a final decision on what the future service model looks like.
I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns as part of this process.
We will keep you updated as the process progresses.
Aaron Cummins
Chief Executive
UHMBT