North Cumbria set to be moved from North East NHS region

NHS figures have been consulted on the proposal, which would see North Cumbria Integrated moved out of the North East and North Cumbria NHS area, into Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The proposal is designed to simplify the NHS landscape, mirroring the boundary of the new Cumbria Combined Authority.

From left to right, the senior councillors steering Cumbria Combined Authority until elections in 2027: Andrew Jarvis, Jonathan Brook, Mark Fryer and Lisa Hinton. (Image: Cumbria CA)

Directors of NCIC, which delivers a range of hospital and community services across North Cumbria, have previously said that "it would be in the best interest of patients to maintain our relationship with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board."

NHS boards are responsible for funding services at trusts like NCIC, ensuring that the community they cover has the health and care services it needs.

An email to NCIC governors about the proposal, seen by Newsquest Cumbria, reveals that the boundary changes are likely to happen despite the concerns and a Government White Paper is expected to announce them in the Autumn.

NCIC is expected to move from the North East and Yorkshire NHS region into the North West.

The Houses of Parliament in Westminster. (Image: Archive)

Funding responsibilities are also due to transfer from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) to the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB.

Governors were told in the email that NCIC understands "the rationale for the decision, and we are fully committed to making the new arrangements work in the best interests of our patients."

NCIC bosses said that they are "confident that these changes will be largely administrative and will not impact on how and where patients from North Cumbria receive their care.

NCIC does not "anticipate any impact on staff."

The trust spokesperson said: "We recognise the importance of positive working relationships with all stakeholders, those in existing and future models. This will take time and effort, but it will be critical to ensuring that our patients receive seamless care."

Governors were also told that NCIC looks forward to "establishing positive relationship with our Combined Authority and our new partners in the North West and working together to manage the transition to the new arrangements."