By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 16:07, Wednesday, 01 October 2008

A ‘ONCE in a lifetime’ opportunity to develop world class health and social care together with cutting edge technology is moving a step forward.

It is hoped that the development of a health campus for West Cumbria could spark wider economic regeneration.

The vision is to form a cluster of health-related facilities by having the new acute West Cumberland Hospital as the focus with a variety of other health services around.

Also on the same site, or nearby, could be other developments such as an enhanced community hospital provision, GPs’ surgeries, a pharmacy, dentist, residential care home and sheltered housing.

All this could also be coupled with the expansion of academic research and education, medical technology and links to nuclear expertise.

Broadly speaking, the definition of a health campus could also include housing, manufacturing, recreation and retailing.

Some aspects of similar proposals have been developed in this country but more so in America.

The original idea to develop such a plan for West Cumbria came from St Bees man, Les Hanley, who has carried out much research into the feasibility of a local health campus.

Les is not a health professional but more of a social entrepreneur.

He undertook a fact-finding trip to America to develop the concept further, thanks to a bursary from the Society of Social Entrepreneurs.

It has now been taken on by Cumbria Primary Care Trust with support expressed from partners such as North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Cumbria Vision.

And next week many interested parties will meet at Sellafield Visitors’ Centre to discuss the possibilities at a conference.

As well as economic regeneration it is hoped that a health campus would benefit different organisations by working near each other and also provide easier access for the public.

There is also potential to involve voluntary and community organisations such as Age Concern and Mind.

Health chiefs believe that the proposal would help address challenges such as the ageing population; young people leaving the area; health inequalities and job losses associated with decommissioning at the Sellafield nuclear site.

A study showed that 40 per cent of those surveyed would leave West Cumbria if they lost their job at Sellafield.

A health campus would also support the West Coast Energy Masterplan, which sets out the top projects for the area.

Maggie Chadwick, chairman of Cumbria’s Primary Care Trust,told The Whitehaven News: “I genuinely believe we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop something visionary.

“Something which will not only provide world class health and social care and research and development provision in West Cumbria – it should also play a significant role in helping the regeneration and renaissance of West Cumbria.”