Carlisle's MP does not believe money alone will solve the problems at the city’s troubled hospital.

And John Stevenson - who met with senior health bosses this week -hopes that enough improvements have now been made to bring the Cumberland Infirmary out of special measures.

A group of 18 retired consultants have publicly called for high-level political intervention, claiming that high-profile problems at the hospital are the result of long term under-funding.

Their comments, in an open letter to The Cumberland News, came after we revealed the full extent of the crisis facing the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. Our investigation uncovered a worrying number of never events, most of which happened in theatres.

But Mr Stevenson believes the infirmary is now over the worst and is putting his faith in an ongoing review of all of north Cumbria’s services to tackle the issues it has been facing for good.

He said that some Government funding support may be required while upcoming changes bed in, but said long-term the area’s health leaders must learn to live within their means.

Mr Stevenson, along with Workington’s Sue Hayman and Copeland’s Jamie Reed, met with senior NHS figures in London this week to discuss their concerns about local health services.

Among those at the meeting were Health Minister Ben Gummer and Sir Neil McKay, who is chairman of the Success Regime - the body set up by the Government to transform north Cumbria’s NHS.

He said it is too early to say exactly what recommendations will be put forward but he believes the plan will be crucial to tackling the problems that the area has been facing.

“We can’t continue to spend at the rate we are doing. That would be unfair on other parts of the country who have an equal right to funding for health services,” Mr Stevenson said.

However he added there are more specific issues relating to the north Cumbrian health economy that may require central Government support while “we move to a more stable footing”.


John Stevenson Mr Stevenson added: “The important thing is there does seem to be some momentum building.

“The next phase is firm proposals. We have the beginnings of a better news story for north Cumbria. Once we’ve had the proper consultation then we need to move as quickly as possible.”

Asked whether he is worried about the infirmary in the short-term, while long-term changes are drawn up and implemented, he described the situation as “more positive” than it has been, praising new boss Stephen Eames for the work he has done since January.

“There is some hope that we will come out of special measures,” he said.

But is the trust ready for that?

“There is a belief that we are. I very much hope that will be the case. It would be a positive boost to staff morale,” Mr Stevenson told The Cumberland News.

“I think we have a strong new chief executive. He has a strong reputation but he obviously has to deliver. He has strengthened his board, which I think is important.”

The most controversial issues facing the Success Regime are the future of community hospitals and the West Cumberland Hospital.

Mr Stevenson said they have to find a way to configure services to properly serve the biggest population area in Carlisle, but also ensuring west Cumbria has the care it needs.

As for the future of north Cumbria’s community hospitals and the future of their beds, which could be removed or centralised on fewer sites, he said he remains “open minded” about what should happen.

“Clearly community hospitals have a role to play. They may need to have what services they provide revised and maybe they can have an enhanced role as we try to move more care out of the acute hospital to the community.

“We have to be careful it’s not just about beds but also about the services they provide,” he said.