THE LEADER of the Liberal Democrats has called for an extension to emergency care in Kendal.

The suggestion comes after Lancaster and Barrow hospitals experienced a significant surge in demand.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to health bosses to suggest that the current Primary Care Assessment Service (PCAS) at Westmorland General Hospital is extended.

Mr Farron said: "Local people need the peace of mind of knowing that A&E services are there if they need them.

"It is extremely concerning that health bosses have had to ask people to stay away. Services might be expected to be under pressure in the middle of winter, but it is worrying that the hospitals cannot cope in high summer.

"I am calling on health bosses to extend the PCAS services available at Westmorland General in Kendal. Not only would this relieve the pressure on hospitals elsewhere, it would mean shorter journey times for local people."

Last week, health bosses urged the public to stay away from A&E unless faced with an emergency situation, with Mr Farron commenting that it was 'worrying' that the 'hospitals cannot cope in high summer'.

The Cumbria Partnership Trust have said that the PCAS is designed to assess patients with 'minor injuries and ailments, but not life threatening conditions' and that some patients need to be transferred from PCAS to Furness General Hospital or Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

"Improvements have been put in place in Kendal PCAS over the last 4 years to prevent transfers to Lancaster and Barrow and avoidable admissions," a spokesperson said. "Kendal PCAS now accepts ambulances using the North West Ambulance Service pathfinder tool which minimises the unnecessary transfer of patients to other sites for assessments that could be done in Kendal.

"The single point of access provides local GP services with a point to refer directly to Kendal PCAS for medical assessments that would otherwise have been seen in Lancaster or Barrow.

"In addition to this Kendal PCAS provides a valuable step up service for our older adults requiring hospital care that can be provided locally at Kendal."