Councillors could have given support over proposed ward closure
Members of Cumberland Council's health overview and scrutiny committee were given a progress report from Cumbria, Northumbria, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust at Allerdale House in Workington on Thursday (July 18).
In October 2024 it was reported that North-East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) announced that it was considering closing an adult mental health ward.
Yewdale Ward, part of West Cumberland Hospital, was deemed too isolated from other mental health services and no longer fit for purpose, as it was a mixed sex ward.
Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes (Maryport North, Labour) said the matter was brought before scrutiny too late and it would have been better if they had been 'kept in the loop' sooner. She added: 'I feel very sad about this and the community feels sad about this.'
She said she hoped the situation worked out for the best but added: 'Because I will coming back to you.'
Ramona Duguid, the chief operating officer with the trust, said there had not been a focus on mental health or disabilities and added: 'We do need to change that. We want to work together.'
Councillor Martin Harris (Dearham and Broughton, Labour) asked what demand there was on the service and James Duncan, the trust's chief executive, it was 16 at any one time and it had remained constant over the years.
He said that, if it was created as two wards, with eight male beds and eight female beds, it would be too difficult to staff.
Councillor Jeanette Forster (Hillcrest and Hensingham, Labour) said she was not convinced by the new Hope Haven facility, which is due to open later this year, but accepted that Yewdale was not fit for purpose. She added: 'We will just have to go with it and see how it pans out.'
Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said lessons had to be learned from what had happened but added that they would support the trust.
Cllr McCarron-Holmes proposed that they write to the ICB highlighting that they were not involved sooner and the whole process could have been handled better.
Councillor Helen Davison (Belah, Green Party) said it should be formalised with a letter and there should be proper engagement 'right from the start'.
When it was put to the vote members agreed that they should write a letter to the ICB raising their concerns.
According to the report in January 2025 the trust updated the committee on the position and next steps in relation to changes to service provision in west Cumbria. This included the development and investment in community and crisis services, Hope Haven, as well as the proposed changes to adult inpatient care, which had been subject to public engagement since November 2024.
In April 2025 the board of directors reviewed the final Strategic Case for Change and:
Approved that the engagement process completed on the proposals has been robust with the local community and staff;
Agreed the case for change proposal for the re-provision of services from Yewdale Ward to Carlton Clinic in Carlisle;
Agreed that further consultation on the proposals was not required.
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