North Cumbria NHS Trust addresses staffing issues affecting Keswick Urgent Treatment Centre
Commitment reaffirmed to provide stable healthcare services in Keswick and Penrith
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has reiterated its plans to ensure the future of the Urgent Treatment Centres in Keswick and Penrith amidst ongoing staffing challenges.
Since July 2025, the Keswick Urgent Treatment Centre has faced intermittent closures due to staffing shortages affecting both locations. To maintain healthcare services in the area, staff from Keswick are occasionally relocated to Penrith, which has extended operating hours.
These staffing challenges have been attributed to a mix of vacancies and long-term absences within the teams. Recent recruitment efforts have shown progress, with expectations for more consistent service availability by May 2026.
Dr Gill Findley, Executive Chief Nurse, acknowledged the centres' importance in the Lake District community, emphasizing the Trust's dedication to maintaining services at both hospitals.
"We know how valuable the service is for the community and the tourist population in the heart of the Lake District, and the Trust is committed to maintaining the service we have at both hospitals. The Urgent Treatment Centre offers a fantastic service to our population. It performs consistently well achieving above 95% for seeing patients within the four-hour standard and we regularly receive compliments for the service," Findley said.
"We are sorry for the inconvenience and confusion caused by the ongoing temporary closures and fully recognise the impact this has had on those who use the service. This decision is never taken lightly and is and is only to ensure that we can keep patients safe and continue to provide at least one urgent treatment facility in the area."
Despite these challenges, efforts to stabilize the staffing situation remain a priority, with new staff expected to join in the coming months.
Findley added, "We are working really hard to stabilise the staffing position. We are actively recruiting to vacant posts and colleagues are due to join us in the coming months to strengthen the team."
"We will do everything we can to avoid further closures in the coming months, however it is likely there will be some disruption until new colleagues come into post."