I have today written to Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB setting out the crucial questions about their proposal to permanently close level 3 ICU services at Furness General Hospital.
These questions have been put together following numerous meetings I have been having with current and former staff from FGH, clinical experts, patients, residents, and other local organisations. The ICB cannot move forward with their proposals to permanently downgrade critical care at FGH without answering these fundamental questions.
You can read my full letter to the ICB and the questions I have asked HERE.
I will be meeting with the ICB on Monday where I will be asking them pause their decision making process whilst they gather and present this information to local people and I will be asking that they commit to ensuring there is full public consultation before any final decision is made – in line with NHS England’s guidance on significant service change.
