North Cumbria Integrated Care

15/11/2025

💙 This weekend please choose services wisely.

The resident doctors' strike continues until 7am on Wednesday, and we are asking patients to only attend urgent and emergency care in an emergency.

If you need emergency care, we are here for you. No matter how busy our A&E departments are, the most seriously ill and injured patients will always be seen first and as quickly as possible.

If it isn't an emergency, consider using a different service such as your GP, pharmacy, or an Urgent Treatment Centre. If you're not sure which service is best for your condition, please use NHS 111 online.

Please be kind to our staff, who are here to help you.

You can see our live waiting times for A&E and Urgent Treatment Centres on our website: ncic.nhs.uk/locations/emergency-care-hub

15/11/2025

A service to remember those who have lost babies in pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, will be held on Monday, November 17 at 7pm in St Peter's Church, Kells, Whitehaven.
All welcome.

14/11/2025

Resident doctors began striking this morning at 7am. The strike is planned for 5 days, until Wednesday (19th November) at 7am.

If we haven't contacted you, please come to your appointment as normal.

The strike means some of our services are under much more pressure than usual.

We are here for you if you need us but please consider using a different service to A&E if your condition is not life threatening, otherwise you may have a long wait. For non-urgent needs, consider:

✅Your GP surgery
✅Visiting a pharmacy
✅Going to an Urgent Treatment Centre
✅Using 111 online (includes mental health crisis support)

You can find live waiting times for our Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) and A&E departments on our website: ncic.nhs.uk/locations/emergency-care-hub

14/11/2025

The annual Intensive Care Unit memorial service takes place on Wednesday 19 November in Carlisle Cathedral at 7.30pm.

Staff, friends, families and volunteers are invited to attend the service to remember those we have lost in the last year.

No tickets required.

14/11/2025

Cumbria 4X4 Response were a huge help for us yesterday

They are a charity and rely on donations to be able to carry out the amazing work they do

13/11/2025

The resident doctors strike begins tomorrow (7am on Friday to 7am on Wednesday).

We have made detailed plans to make sure we prioritise patients and staff safety and minimise the impact on services as far as possible. The majority of planned operations and appointments are expected to go ahead, a very small number are being rearranged and those patients will be contacted directly. Some appointments and operations have also been affected by today’s flooding, which will also be rearranged.

✅ If you are not contacted then it is very important that you attend your appointment as normal.

Dr Adrian Clements, Executive Medical Director, said:

“This strike is taking place following flooding across Cumbria and during an early spread of winter viruses, such as flu, in our communities, which will put extra pressure on our services. Due to the strike our services will be safe but patients are asked to choose wisely and only to attend urgent and emergency care in an emergency. We apologise in advance but patients who do need to attend could be waiting for extended periods to be seen and treated due to a reduction in the number of medical staff on duty.

"Please do not visit loved ones in hospital if you have been unwell in the last 48 hours, infections are more serious for those who are already in hospital, and also contribute to staff sickness. Thank you to everyone for their support and help.”

If you need medical help, you should still contact the NHS.

Only phone 999 if it is life-threatening. If you need other medical help, use NHS 111 online.

For more information please visit our website: https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/news/hospital-services-impacted-upcoming-industrial-action

13/11/2025

Cumberland Council are keeping you updated with all the floods and road closures

Stay safe and take alternative routes where you can.

🚧 Roads Update – Thursday 13 November, 19:55hrs ⬇
We’ll be updating this post throughout the day with the latest road and car park closure information due to surface water and flooding.

Now open:
✅A594 open at Ellenborough Road, Maryport outside Tesco.
✅A596 outside the Police Station on Hall Brow, Workington
✅Dalston Road, Carlisle
✅Buckabank to Durdar Road at Pow Bank.
✅A595 outside Greenhill Hotel at Red Dial
✅Mealpot Road, Maryport.
✅Barras Lane, Dalston between Barras Lane Indst Est and A595 Cardewlees.
✅A6071 Longtown Road, Brampton closed outside the Police Station.
✅A596 Wigton Bypass
✅Wreay Road beneath Low Hurst Motorway Bridge.
✅Viaduct Estate Road, Carlisle at the Castle Way end.
✅B5301 at Arkleby Mill.
✅Baggrow to Blennerhasset Road.
✅B5322 Townfield Bridge Threlkeld.
✅B5300 Coast Road, Allonby.

Currently closed:
🚫 Kingmoor Road, Carlisle at Etterby Bridge.
🚫 St Ninians Bridge, Carlisle closed.
🚫 The road from the A69 Hayton lane end to Hayton village.
🚫 Church Road, Warwick Bridge closed due to flooding by St Paul's Church.
🚫 B6263 Steeles Bank, Wetheral.
🚫 Little Corby Road from Newby East to Little Corby.
🚫Oulton to Kirkbride

🚗 Car park closures:

◾ Caldew Riverside and Castle in Carlisle (formerly Devonshire Walk) car parks are currently closed until further notice.
◾West Walls car park in Carlisle is now also closed.

🛍 Carlisle Market (Friday 14 November): We’ve made the difficult decision to cancel tomorrow’s Carlisle Market. This choice has been made with the safety of our visitors, traders, and contractors as our top priority.

Our highways teams have been working diligently throughout the night and this morning, and have responded to over 200 calls so far. We appreciate your patience as we continue to manage the impacts of the severe weather.

If you see any issues on the roads, please report them here: https://bit.ly/ReportAProblemCumberland
📞 Or call our Highways Hotline: 0300 373 3736

Thank you for your support, please take care and stay safe.

13/11/2025

Some staff and patients have been unable to reach our sites this morning due to flooding, which has impacted a number of appointments.

☔We are still operating safely and are here if you need us for urgent and emergency care
☔If you have an urgent care need and are unsure what to do, please call NHS 111 for advice.
☔If you have an appointment, please check before you travel and attend where it is safe to do so.
☔If you have a family member who is awaiting discharge today, please be aware transport may be affected please consider if you are able to collect them yourself for speedier discharge.

A huge thank you to our incredible staff for their efforts in getting to work today, and to our partners and Cumbria 4X4 Response response for their support.

Stay safe and thank you for your understanding.

13/11/2025

Take care on the roads this morning and follow advice from Cumbria police.

UPDATE: The M6 is open on the northbound carriageway between junctions 41 and 42.

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UPDATE: 7.15am - Further issues with surface water flooding are being reported on numerous roads this morning.

Areas affected as well as those stated earlier include: Carleton village, near Penrith; Etterby Road, Carlisle; the Aspatria area; the A596 at Waverton; Victory Terrace, Maryport; the A594 Maryport to Dearham road; Isle Road, Cockermouth; the A66 Cockermouth bypass; Castle Gardens, Workington; the A6 at Plumpton; Stainburn and Harrington, near Workington; the A595 at Meadow Road, Whitehaven.

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5:50am alert:

Cumbria is currently experiencing problems with surface water flooding across many roads this morning following overnight heavy rain.

Among the main issues are:

- A closure on the northbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 41 and 42

- A blockage of the A595 at the Greenhill Hotel at Red Dial.

If you are traveling this morning, do so with caution and listen to travel updates.

Do not drive through flood water if coming across flooding – take an alternative route.

If you are experiencing any weather related issues please see a list of our partner agencies contact details here: https://www.cumbria.police.uk/police-forces/cumbria-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/weather-safety/

Check for flood warnings and alerts at: https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding

12/11/2025

‘Tis the season… for Flu 🤧

Since 1st October, we have seen over 70 cases of Flu across our wards (both adults and children), which is around 60 more than the same period last year. That is a 600% increase!

It is so important that you don’t visit anyone in hospital if you have flu or any symptoms. People who are in hospital usually have weakened immune systems which can make things like flu much worse.

How can we all help prevent the spread of flu this winter?

- Get your flu vaccine as early as you can - remember children can get their nasal flu spray at school if you fill in the consent form
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly
- Catch sneezes and coughs in a tissue
- Stay at home if you’re unwell

To get your flu vaccine, you can contact your GP or visit your local pharmacy

Staff are currently being offered their vaccinations to protect our patients. Pictured below is Dr Claire Gray, A&E consultant, who had her vaccine today, with our staff vaccination team.

12/11/2025

Due to planned maintenance the telephone lines at West Cumberland Hospital will be down between 8pm and 10pm this evening.

If you are planning to call the hospital, please avoid these times where possible.

If you urgently need to contact the hospital during 8pm - 10pm please call the Cumberland Infirmary switchboard 01228 523444 who can arrange for a message to be passed on in an emergency. Apologies for any inconvenience.

12/11/2025

Feeling under the weather this winter? Skip the GP queue and head to your local pharmacy! 💊

The Pharmacy First service is here to help you get fast, expert treatment for 7 common conditions, no appointment needed. Just walk in or call your local participating pharmacy.

Pharmacists can now treat:
👂 Earache – Ages 1–17
🦠 Impetigo – A skin infection, ages 1+
🐜 Infected Insect Bites – Ages 1+
🌸 Shingles – Ages 18+
🤧 Sinusitis – Ages 12+
🔥 Sore Throat – Ages 5+

🚽 Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – Women aged 16–64

This means quicker access to treatment, less pressure on other services and more convenience for you.
Get the care you need, when you need it from highly trained pharmacists.

Let’s keep our NHS running smoothly this winter. Choose Pharmacy First 💙