NHS care board boundaries likely to change
BBCThe boundaries of two NHS care boards are likely to change in the next three years.
Last month the government announced plans for the boards to align with wider local authority boundaries by the end of the current government.
North East and North Cumbria ICB has since said it expects to stop serving those in north Cumbria and its role in the county would be taken over by Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB. However, the government said no final decisions had been made.
Carlisle Labour MP Julie Minns said she was disappointed by the decision because the move could disrupt the progress made by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC).
The main role of ICBs is to plan and buy healthcare services on behalf of people across geographic areas.
In a letter, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), which is currently run by the North East team, said it would also likely be taken over by the North West team as part of the changes.
'Failing' NHS trust
NCIC said it did not expect any impact on how and where patients in north Cumbria received care and staff were also not expected to be impacted.
North East and North Cumbria ICB said it would work with its partners over the coming months to ensure an "effective transition" and the get the "best possible outcome" for the population.
Minns said she and other local MPs had been encouraged by the progress made by NCIC under the current regional system and did not want to risk this being disrupted by the move.
The trust is one of five failing NHS trusts put on a national recovery scheme.
"Our priority is to make sure that the health services in our area continue to improve," she said.
"We think that's best achieved by the trust staying with the North East ICB."
She said the MPs would be following up with ministers over the plans.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the government wanted to give locally elected mayors more responsibility and powers.
"To support that aim, we are looking to align the boundaries of integrated care boards with strategic authorities, including in Cumbria," a spokesperson said.
"However, no final decisions have yet been taken, and we will be taking into account the views of local communities on the proposed changes."
