New hospital pathway for cancer patients in West Cumbria

Cancer patients attending West Cumberland Hospital with other issues will no longer have to sit and wait in A&E after the trust implemented a new care pathway.

MP Josh MacAlister wrote to hospital trust CEO Lyn Simpson after a constituent contacted him about his wife’s experience.

His wife, who is battling cancer, was sent to A&E by her GP due to difficulties with her breathing. She had to wait for several hours surrounded by other ill people, putting her at risk due to her immunocompromised status.

The trust investigated and have now developed a new care pathway for cancer patients attending hospital for emergency care. Cancer patients will now be directed to the Same Day Emergency Care unit and managed by the acute oncology team, instead of waiting in A&E. Those who are critically ill will still need to attend A&E.

Josh said: "I am extremely grateful to the trust for responding so quickly and positively to this request, which was generated by a piece of casework that came into my office.

"I hope that it will make things just that little bit easier for west Cumbrians living with cancer when they need to attend the hospital.

"This is just one example of the dozens of cases received by my office every week which my team and I do our best to help with in any way we can. If there’s something we might be able to help you with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch."