Two years ago, the picture at our local hospital was bleak.
Waiting lists were at record highs. Services were being pulled back. Staffing shortages were so severe that A&E had to close on several occasions. For many people across West Cumbria, confidence in the NHS was being tested like never before.
That didn’t happen overnight – and it was never going to be fixed overnight either.
But today, things are starting to change.
Waiting lists are slowly beginning to come down. A major recruitment drive is underway to bring in more doctors, nurses and frontline staff. And, crucially, we are now seeing real investment in vital services- urgent and emergency care, women’s health, and support for older and frail patients.
I saw that progress for myself last week on my latest visit to West Cumberland Hospital.
What stood out most wasn’t just the plans on paper – it was the people making it happen.
I met Leanne and her team on the Frailty Hub, who are doing incredible work helping older patients get assessed, treated and safely discharged on the same day. In many cases, that means avoiding a hospital admission altogether – better for patients and better for the system.
I also spent time with Elaine (who has dedicated 40 years to the NHS!) and the team behind Same Day Emergency Care. Their work is all about making sure patients are seen quickly, treated in the right place, and don’t spend longer in hospital than they need to.
These are practical, frontline improvements that are already making a real difference – easing pressure on A&E and improving patient experience.
And they are being driven by the dedication and professionalism of NHS staff here in West Cumbria, who continue to go above and beyond every single day.
There is still more to do.
That’s why I’ve been working closely with Ministers to secure additional support to help our local NHS improve faster. The inclusion of our Trust in the Government’s new programme for improvement means expert help will be brought in to tackle long-standing challenges and accelerate progress.
That means driving down waiting times further, improving A&E performance, and ensuring faster diagnosis and treatment for conditions like cancer.
Just as importantly, it means backing the new leadership at the Trust – giving them the support they need to deliver lasting change.
After years of drift, we are now seeing a clear sense of direction.
The journey isn’t finished, but the progress is real – and it’s thanks to the hard work of local staff, new leadership, and the investment we’ve fought to secure.
Our hospital’s best days are ahead of it – and I’ll keep working to make sure that becomes a reality for everyone in West Cumbria.
Watch the video of my visit last week
Josh MacAlister MP 