The borough's MP is delighted that Cumbria's hospital trust is set to receive a huge sum of funding, supporting the extra strain put on A&E departments expected in the coming winter months.

Many have welcomed the news that North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) will receive an impressive cut of the government’s £300 million boost for A&E departments throughout the country, with the trust expecting a £4 million share of the funding.

The extra support will allow the trust to increase its capacity for emergency cases, set up enhanced infection prevention and control measures, and make improvements to its urgent treatment services.

The government hopes to have completed the work by January 2021, ensuring the upgrades are ready and prepared for the peak of winter.

And Copeland MP Trudy Harrison couldn’t be more pleased with the news.

“Staff at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have worked tirelessly over recent months, and I would like to thank them for everything they have done to get our local community through the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.

“While we hope for the best this winter, it’s right that we plan for the worst.

“This funding to upgrade A&E across the trust will ensure that we are in the best possible position for the challenges that the winter months may bring.”

In June, the Prime Minister announced plans to accelerate £5 billion of infrastructure spending as part of his New Deal for Britain – an ambitious economic strategy to rebuild Britain by putting jobs, skills and infrastructure investment at the heart of the Government’s plans.

This funding forms part of the deal, which allocated a total of £1.5 billion this year for hospital maintenance, hospital building and A&E expansion.

A spokesman for NCIC said: “The trust is very pleased that we have received confirmation of funding to help in our preparedness for winter.

“The money will be used to support the delivery of the same day emergency care service to the Cumberland Infirmary site to bring it in line with the successful emergency care model in place at the West Cumberland Hospital.

“There will also be refurbishment to both of the trust’s emergency care departments and at ambulatory care unit at the West Cumberland Hospital.”

They added: " We are waiting for final confirmation that the bids we have submitted in regards to the above are an appropriate use of funds and will share updates on the progress in due course."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We continue to deliver on our promise to build back better and faster, with £300 million allocated today for NHS trusts to upgrade their facilities and improve A&E capacity.

“These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver essential services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

“Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, our A&Es have remained open for the public.

“It’s vital that those who need emergency treatment this winter access it, and for those who remain concerned about visiting hospitals, let me assure you that the NHS has measures in place to keep people safe.”