NCIC News
All the latest from the Trust | August 2025
Intro from the Chair
Hello and welcome to our newsletter for foundation trust members and the wider community.
Our interim Chief Executive, Trudie Davies, has been busy meeting teams and settling in since she arrived last month. She’s been getting a warm welcome from our teams and I’m looking forward to working with her as we continue to make improvements across the Trust.
There’s an opportunity for you to meet Trudie at our Annual Members Meeting which takes place on 29th September at 1.30pm at People First in Carlisle. She will be sharing reflections on the NHS ten year plan and what that means in practice for NCIC. We will also be joined by Pears Cumbria School of Medicine as guest speakers who have welcomed their first group of 58 students this week.
So, lots to be excited about, I hope to see you there.
Steven Morgan
Chair
Trudie gets out and about meeting teams
Interim Chief Executive Trudie Davies arrived at the Trust last month. She has been busy meeting teams and learning how our services operate in a rural county like Cumbria.
She said to staff: “It’s really important to me that we can build a positive and trusted relationship where you feel comfortable and able to let me know all of the good things that go on in the Trust and those things that we need to work on improving.
“I very much work on the basis that we are all here to do the same thing, to provide high quality, safe and effective care for our patients, and we can only do that by creating an improving and learning culture and I am very keen to be part of that alongside you.”
Important changes to follow up blood tests and post operative wound care
The way in which patients are referred for follow up blood tests and post-operative wound care will change from 1st September.
Historically in North Cumbria, GP practices have worked alongside hospitals to provide this type of care locally so that patients do not have to travel to hospital for routine procedures.
Unfortunately, because of ongoing challenges in Primary Care, some GP practices have decided they are no longer able to deliver this type of work.
To help meet the demand NCIC has now established a number of community hubs across the region. This will help ensure that patients can continue to be cared for close to home, and avoid additional pressures on our acute hospitals.
Patients will be referred by their hospital doctor to the appropriate community hub, or GP practice (where they are continuing to provide the service).
Patients will be able to either book an appointment themselves online or call a helpline where our staff will help make the appointment or answer any queries.
While we get our appointment process up and running, patients requiring blood tests from 1st September can contact our hubs by telephone between 9am – 5pm 01946 853333 Option 7.
New era for healthcare in Cumbria
We're sending the very best of luck to the inaugural cohort of 58 students as the new Pears Cumbria School of Medicine opened in Carlisle this week.
The new medical school is a pioneering initiative, designed to improve recruitment and retention of doctors in Cumbria. With a bespoke curriculum focused on prevention, digital innovation and community-based care, PCSM is designed to train doctors where they are most needed, right here in Cumbria.
The Trust has been working closely with Pears in setting up the school and see it as a key step in addressing recruitment and retention of doctors in the region. Building and establishing the Trust’s research capability alongside the school is also integral to our partnership.
The curriculum has been specifically developed with Cumbria in mind, taking into consideration the unique position of the region, with its varied and widespread geographical reach, health inequalities and high prevalence of long-term conditions.
Medical unit opens at CIC after refurbishment
The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle has welcomed its first patients to the newly-refurbished urology investigations unit (UIU), which has been given a £2million makeover.
This investment aims to improve care for urology patients, broaden the scope of vascular investigations, and streamline pre-operative assessments.
The purpose-built unit encompasses the UIU, vascular studies lab, and pre-assessment unit.
The unit is located at the back of the hospital, next to the cancer centre.
Consultant vascular surgeon Ron Eifell said: "This new space will enable us to offer a broader range of services tailored to patient needs, introduce one-stop clinics to reduce travel and waiting times, and create more efficient pathways.
"It also allows teams to be co-located, which improves staff morale and allows for more collaboration between teams.
"The vascular team, which has recently expanded, will now be able to mirror services offered at West Cumberland Hospital and boost diagnostic capacity across emergency, urgent, and routine cases.
"For pre-assessment, the bespoke design of the unit will support a more efficient one-stop service, enhancing the triage process between nursing and medical teams and improving the overall patient experience from the very start of the surgical journey."
This facility marks a major step forward in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care across north Cumbria, according to the North Cumbria Integrated Care trust.
Save the date for the Annual Members' Meeting
Members of the public are invited to join our Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM).
It will take place - in person and virtually - on Monday 29th September, 1.30pm to 4pm, at People First Conference Centre, Milbourne St, Carlisle, CA2 5XB.
It’s an opportunity for members to learn more about our achievements and challenges over the last 12 months and the current financial position, which you can find out more about in our annual report 2024/25 now on our website.
Those attending will also find out more about our most recent developments and hear about some of our plans for the future outlined in our clinical strategy.
There will also be an opportunity to have your say on our future plans as we ask members to get involved in some of the changes we need to make to improve healthcare in north Cumbria.
The venue is also wheelchair accessible via the lift at the reception.
If you have any other requirements to access the meeting, such as sign language or interpreters, you will need to let us know by Monday 15th September.
The public can submit questions in advance via the booking form no later than Friday 19th September.
To book you can complete our booking form, or for assistance or any enquiries please email corporate.governance@ncic.nhs.uk.
Patients urged to attend A&E alone
While work is ongoing to develop the Urgent Treatment Centre at The Cumberland Infirmary space is limited in the waiting areas of our emergency departments.
Please help maintain safety and efficiency by limiting the number of accompanying relatives so patients who are waiting are prioritised. If possible, and you are able to do so, please attend alone. Overcrowding can create an uncomfortable environment and increase the risk of infection.
Exceptions may include:
Children under 16: A parent or guardian is permitted.
Patients with specific needs: Carers may be necessary for those with dementia, learning disabilities, or autism to provide support and facilitate communication.
End-of-life care: Additional visitors may be accommodated for patients receiving end-of-life care.
Thank you for your understanding and co-operation in helping us provide the best care for all of our patients.
Baton of Hope to visit CIC
With Cumbria having one of the highest levels of suicide in the UK, the Baton of Hope will come to Cumbria on Sunday, September 7.
The baton is travelling around the county to promote suicide awareness.
There will be mini events along the way from west Cumbria to Carlisle - with a grand finale of live music, visual entertainment and live art displays inside the walls of Carlisle Castle.
The baton will arrive at the Cumberland Infirmary at 7pm and depart for the castle at 7.20pm.
The baton entourage will be met and entertained by The Solway Singers. Steve Park, Director of Communication at NCIC, will then say a few words before the baton departs on the final leg of its Cumbrian journey.
A website has been created where more information can be found about the Cumbrian leg of the tour and you can apply for free tickets for the event at Carlisle Castle at www.batonofhopecumbria.co.uk
Former patient to run Great Cumbrian Run for our charity
A former patient who broke her back and suffered several internal injuries in a serious road traffic collision 20 years ago is running the Great Cumbrian Run for the North Cumbria University Hospital NHS Trust charityAshlea McDonald and her partner, Mack, are raising funds for the Intensive Care Unit at the West Cumberland Hospital.
She said: “This December marks 20 years since I was involved in a serious road traffic accident that left me with a broken back and several internal injuries. I spent weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at West Cumberland Hospital before being transferred to The James Cook, Middlesbrough, not knowing if I would ever walk again.
“To mark this milestone, I’ll be taking on my second half marathon ever after running The Great North Run last September. We are running to raise funds and to say thank you for the care the staff gave to me and my family during a time we never expected to face.
“Having access to such life-saving care locally is something none of us think we will ever need, until we do. That’s why we’re raising funds to support the Intensive Care Unit and help ensure that others receive the same level of care when they need it most.”
The Great Cumbrian Run takes place in Carlisle on Sunday, October 5. You can sponsor Ashlea here
Member and Governor update
Governors message: Eric Martlew, Public Governor for Carlisle
I am enjoying being a Governor of the Trust, although at times I find it quite frustrating as I believe that the Trust do not make full use of the expertise of its Governors; however, I have recently seen some improvement in the relationship.
In the 70s and 80s, I was a member of what would now be called a Trust Board, facing similar problems with geography as we required two district general hospitals when the population deemed just one. This creates issues of resources and also recruitment, which impact the quality of care provided. The difference today is that medicine is more complex and public expectations are higher. Today, the public are worried as to whether the NHS can meet their healthcare needs We must work tirelessly to alleviate these concerns.
The division between primary and secondary care is problematic and seems to be widening. This has recently been illustrated by GPs deciding they are no longer able to carry out blood tests for patients having hospital treatment. One patient living near Appleby had to travel to the Cumberland Infirmary - a round trip of 60 miles.
We need to build bridges and work together to ensure progress happens.
Innovation and the use of modern technology are vital. There is an urgent need to acquire a surgical robot if we are to attract surgeons in the future. Doing nothing cannot be an option.
Finally, we must work together to ensure that the people of North Cumbria are not disadvantaged in healthcare.
Eric Martlew
Become a member
Anyone living in Cumbria over the age of 14 can become a member, you can choose how much or how little you want to be involved – join today.
Concerns or comments
If you have any concerns or comments please contact your governors on the email below. We are here to raise any concerns on your behalf. More information on the members of the Governors’ Council and their role can be found on our website. If you have any comments or suggestions please contact us via the email below: AskYourGovernor@ncic.nhs.uk
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