Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham has urged care bosses to rethink a decision to withdraw community medical help for people with minor injuries.

The Barrow and Furness MP believes the new system could have a particularly negative impact on people living in towns like Millom and in other rural communities.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (LSCICB) recently decided to stop providing Locally Enhanced Service provision for assessment and treatment of minor injuries at GP practices.

Mrs Scrogham said: “I am yet to see the details of these alternative services that are being proposed but I remain sceptical that they will serve rural areas and towns like Millom and Broughton which have few options when it comes to accessing healthcare.

“I will continue to argue the case and ask that careful consideration is given to the unique difficulties faced by rural towns and surrounding areas.”

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board say they intend to offer an increased range of general practice services available to patients to “better meet the needs of the community”.

The MP has written to Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board urging the body to review its decision.

In her letter to the Care Board Mrs Scrogham states: “Many residents in these communities face significant barriers to accessing hospital services – barriers that are compounded by age, health conditions and limited transport options.”

Highlighting the case of a 75-year-old woman with multiple health conditions which have contributed to several recent falls.

After a fall that left the woman with bleeding wounds, she could not get the minor injuries medical help needed because of these changes.

Poor transport options meant it would have taken her over an hour and a half to get Furness General Hospital.

Mrs Scrogham continued: “This is not an isolated case. It reflects a broader issue affecting our towns and rural communities who rely on accessible, local care.

“The withdrawal of minor injuries services disproportionally affects those with complex conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, where physical accessibility present additional challenges.

“I urge LSCICB to give further, careful consideration to the unique circumstances faced by Millom and its surrounding communities.

“These areas do not benefit from the same level of hospital access as other parts of the region.

“What steps will LSCICB take to mitigate these barriers and ensure that vulnerable patients are not left without timely and appropriate care?

“I ask that the board reviews this decision in light of the disproportionate impact on vulnerable patients in rural areas and outlines what steps will be taken to ensure safe, equitable access to minor injuries care for all residents.”