Funding has been restored for Lake District GP practices to treat minor injuries after pressure from local MPs.
Patients in Ambleside, Hawkshead and Millom will have access to assessment and treatment for minor injuries at their GP surgery after a decision to withdraw funding was overturned.
In May 2025, the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) stopped enhanced provision for minor injuries at doctor’s surgeries, leaving patients facing a journey to urgent treatment centres or A&E in Kendal, Keswick, Lancaster, or Barrow.
Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB’s acting chief executive, Sam Proffitt said: “At the time concerns were received about the potential impacts on local hospital services and it was agreed to monitor the situation.
"Subsequently further concerns were received from the local community about the loss of the service in Millom, and it was agreed that a further clinical review would take place.
“This review has been completed, and it has now been agreed that those practices whose patients have the greatest travelling distances and times to access alternative services (Central Lakes Medical Group in Ambleside and Hawkshead and Waterloo House Surgery in Millom) will be able to offer a range of appropriate minor treatments as part of their existing wound care services.”
The decision to reinstate funding was welcomed by MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, who had raised the issue with government ministers and the ICB.
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Mr Farron said: “I’m very glad to see this vital service return to GP surgeries in Ambleside, Hawkshead and Millom.
"I’m grateful to the ICB for listening to the significant concerns of local residents and choosing to restore the funding in these places.
“However, I remain concerned that patients in rural areas such as Windermere and Grange are not able to get minor injuries treated at their local GP practices.
"I will continue to make the case to the ICB to restore this service in full so that people can get the care they need closer to home.”
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