Furness Intensive Care Unit Decision Delayed to 2027

The future of the highest level of intensive care at Furness General Hospital (FGH) will remain undecided until October 2027. Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) had initially proposed permanently closing the level 3 unit, citing staff shortages and insufficient demand as reasons.

However, this proposal faced opposition, with concerns that it would not only affect the most critically ill patients but also lead to a decline in lower-level care. Currently, critically ill patients at FGH are stabilized before being transferred to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, located 46 miles away. The ICB is now collaborating with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to explore alternative care models.

MP Michelle Scrogham has been actively campaigning to preserve the intensive care facility, emphasizing its crucial role. She highlighted that closing the unit could have widespread consequences, potentially impacting A&E and maternity services, thus jeopardizing the hospital's overall sustainability. Recent progress includes securing funding for a nurse and medic education program and efforts to improve staff recruitment and retention, with some recent successes reported.

The ICB has assured that no definitive decisions will be made before October 2027 and acknowledged the progress in exploring care alternatives. A second clinical review by the Yorkshire and the Humber Clinical Senate is underway to assess potential solutions for level 3 care.