NCIC News

All the latest from the Trust | May 2026

Intro from the Chair

This month our bulletin is packed with positive news, and I’m delighted that Trudie Davies has been confirmed as our permanent Chief Executive. Under her interim leadership, performance is showing clear signs of improvement, and we are starting to see reductions in waiting times for operations, diagnostic tests and cancer care. I was privileged to open our first Community Diagnostic Centre in Workington this month. It’s vital that we can provide more access to diagnostic testing locally and as quickly as possible and this new centre is helping us helping patients receive vital tests sooner and closer to home.

We still have a lot to do, but we can be confident that we are moving forward with a very able permanent CEO supported by a strong leadership team.

Until next time,

Dr Stephen Singleton

Chair

Permanent chief executive appointed

Trudie Davies has been appointed as permanent Chief Executive at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust after nine months in her interim role.   

Trudie said: “It’s an absolute honour and a real privilege to have been appointed as Chief Executive at such an important moment. Since I arrived, I’ve been made to feel so welcome by colleagues and the wider community and I’ve already learned so much from the incredible people here. North Cumbria is full of talented and dedicated people, who care passionately about their health services and inspire me every single day with their dedication to making a real difference. Together we have already begun to make encouraging steps forward on the challenges ahead, and it’s clear to me just how much potential this organisation holds. I’m genuinely excited about what we can achieve together. My focus is now on accelerating our recovery and delivering safe, high-quality care for all of our communities.”

Official opening of Community Diagnostic Centre

The new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Workington has been officially opened. The CDC has been operational for just under a year and is already making a significant difference in bringing faster, more convenient diagnostic services directly into the heart of communities across north Cumbria. Since opening last year, the state-of-the-art centre has already delivered more than 30,000 diagnostic appointments, helping patients receive vital tests sooner and closer to home. The team welcomed Dr Stephen Singleton, the new Chair of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), to officially open the centre and to recognise a successful first year. 

NCIC rolls out new Electronic Patient Record

We have successfully implemented the first phase of a new Electronic Patient Record this month. Across Cumberland Infirmary, West Cumberland Hospital, our community hospitals Alcidion’s Miya Precision system is now in place for electronic observations and nursing records across our wards. This will reduce our reliance on paper records that are physically transported between our sites by vans, porters and internal teams. It will allow authorised clinical staff to securely access your health information on NCIC laptops and iPads, wherever they are in the Trust and will support safer, faster and more coordinated care. Future phases planned for later in the year will support rollout into other settings, including medic documentation, the Emergency Departments, paediatrics and outpatients.

Andy Laverick, Chief Information officer and Director of Digital, said: “This go-live marks a significant milestone in the Trust’s digital transformation journey and provides an important foundation for more connected, real-time clinical and operational records across our services. The significant contribution of our Digital teams and clinical leadership and engagement shown by our nursing teams throughout Phase 1 have been critical to reaching this milestone.”

Trust takes immediate action after CQC enforcement notice

We have taken immediate action after receiving an enforcement notice from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Following an unannounced inspection of the Emergency Department (ED) at the Cumberland Infirmary in February 2026, inspectors found areas of good practice as well as a number of concerns. The inspection team then revisited in March 2026 for a further review and as a result, the Trust received formal notification of a Section 31, which grants the CQC the ability to impose conditions on a provider’s registration.

The Trust takes the CQC’s concerns very seriously, and measures have been put in place to respond to the issues identified. The main areas of concern were around the care of mental health patients in the Emergency Department and oversight of patients in the waiting area.

Immediate actions taken include:

• A healthcare assistant or registered nurse is now assigned to the ED waiting room to improve the oversight of patients while they wait
• The dedicated mental health assessment room has been reviewed, and works have been completed including removal of a sink and new furniture
• New processes have been put in place to ensure that mental health risk assessments are carried out quickly when a patient arrives in the ED

Ascent conference success

We hosted our second pioneering research and innovation symposium, Ascent at Carlisle Racecourse earlier this month.

Around 350 colleagues attended from the NHS locally and nationally including the Chief Executive of the NHS Sir Jim Mackey, and partners such as Imperial College London and the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine. The delegates came together to celebrate our achievements in research and to learn from each other.  Awards for Excellence in Research and Innovation Contributing to Patient Care and best presentations were also given out by Julie Minns MP for Carlisle. Chief Executive of NCIC, Trudie Davies, and Head of the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, Professor Mary Morrell, opened the event. 

Celebrating nurses and midwives’ day

This month we marked International Nurses Day and International Day of the Midwife. We took the opportunity to recognise our nursing and midwifery workforce for their dedication, professionalism and compassion.

Chief Nurse Gill Findley said: "I am incredibly proud of our nurses. They are the backbone of our organisation and a constant source of strength and reassurance for our patients. As we look to the future, it is clear that nursing will continue to lead innovation while staying true to its compassionate roots."

Amanda Kennett, Associate Director of Midwifery at NCIC, said: “The commitment, compassion, and professionalism of our midwives make a real difference to the families we care for every day. Achieving a good CQC rating, national accreditation and embracing digital tools like BadgerNet are just some of the ways our teams are continuing to improve and shape the future of maternity services."

Nancy Roper plaque unveiling

A blue plaque commemorating an influential figure in modern nursing has been unveiled at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The plaque was unveiled on the side of the Pillars Building, by the Carlisle & District Civic Trust, Cumberland Infirmary Nurses’ League, and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC). Nancy Roper worked as a nurse tutor and senior nurse educator at the Pillars Building during a formative period of her career.

Public Governor for Furness and South Lakes George Butler was also present. He said, “An overdue award, to a remarkable pioneer of nursing theory and practise. Her inspiring vision led to a nursing curriculum focused on the centrality of the patient in making decisions about their care. She drew her inspiration from the nursing students she taught and observed in this building during her time as Principal Tutor at the Cumberland Infirmary. Her model of nursing is recognised and used throughout the world, and this recognition is truly deserved.”

Skin cancer specialists issue reminder

Did you know Cumbria has some of the highest rates in the UK? May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month and our skin cancer specialists have issued a reminder that there is no safe limit to sun exposure. 

Read patient stories from Charlotte Birkett (27) who used to go on sun beds before her she went on holiday, and Ron Gordon (79) who grew up with hardly any sun protection. Read our reminder about the signs to look out for.

Reusable theatre hats project wins regional NHS Award

A sustainability project at North Cumbria Integrated Care has been shortlisted for a national NHS Excellence Award after winning at regional level in the ‘Sustainable Healthcare’ category. The reusable theatre hats initiative, led by Anaesthetist Ingrid Wilkins and Surgeon Ludger Barthelmes, has been recognised for the impact it is having on the environment and locally. What started as a project to reduce single‑use hats has become a project that reduces carbon, improves staff experience and champions inclusion across operating theatres.

Member and Governor update

Governor column by Rebecca Mullins, Public Governor for Carlisle

As a governor, I’m passionate about championing diversity, healthcare quality, and public engagement.

My role helps me to raise ideas and concerns I hear within the community to help guide improvements that reflect the needs of members in Carlisle.

Making sure I listen to a wide range of groups is key and I was delighted to attend the Carlisle Culture bazaar earlier this year, an event designed to honour the city’s diverse heritage. I enjoyed engaging with locals and fostering open discussions between communities and it was very evident that culture enriches Carlisle’s identity.

I’ve also recently joined the staff disability forum, affirming my commitment to accessibility and inclusion. This means that I can take into account a wide range of voices that I can take into the various committees I serve on. This includes those focused on people, membership, engagement, quality, and safety. I also attend full governors’ meetings and board sessions, helping shape local healthcare services. 

My time as governor has been both rewarding and, at times, frustrating—wishing for faster progress. Yet, I find joy in celebrating hospital achievements and milestones, appreciating the dedication of staff and the positive outcomes for patients, such as the Nancy Roper plaque unveiling which I also attended. Celebrations like this remind us all to stay hopeful and committed.

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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