HEALTH centres across the area received a visit from a leading politician who came to see some of the innovative work being carried out by local communities.

Parliamentary under secretary of state for community health and care, David Mowat, visited Morecambe Bay on Tuesday to learn more about the Better Care Together strategy.

The day involved a packed programme that looked at innovative schemes to improve treatment for patients in Millom and Barrow.

Mr Mowat was impressed by the work going on in both centres which is using a number of resources to reduce issues within the healthcare system.

He said: "Patients and staff are seeing real benefits of the exciting new care models programme in Morecambe Bay. It's great to see health teams working together and using technology innovatively to deliver individual care packages for patients, saving money and delivering the best quality care for patients when they need it most.”

The visit came as part of a plan to see first hand how leading practices are using innovative methods to break down barriers.

The tour began with a visit to the emergency department at Furness General Hospital, where the minister learned about the telehealth scheme which aims to reduce the number of unnecessary patient journeys to the department from Millom.

During the visit, Mr Mowat also met Dr Geoff Jolliffe, GP and locality lead for Furness who gave him a tour of the soon-to-be- built Alfred Barrow Primary Care Centre where he was able to view and discuss plans for the new building, before travelling to Millom for a tour of the community hospital and GP surgery.

He had a first-hand experience of a teleconsultation appointment using a high-definition camera and monitor which is linked to the facility in the emergency department.

Mr Mowat was impressed by the facilities available and paid tribute to the determination of Millom residents.

He said: "It's all about creating new models of care in the NHS. We have established around 40 or 50 vanguard sites that are trying things which are a bit different.

"They are exemplars of practice and Millom is one of them."

Mr Mowat got to meet representatives of the Millom Alliance community group known as the Millom Health Action Group who told him about their community-led initiatives over a working lunch.

Jenny Brumby, from Millom Health Action Group said: “Millom Health Action Group welcomed David Mowat to Millom yesterday to see the great collaboration between the NHS and the Millom community.

"The new telehealth link in Millom surgery will eventually

reduce the miles Millom people will have to travel for care. Our community is thankful that their ideas are being put into practice and Millom has a very healthy future.”

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