It is anticipated that the introduction of clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) services across Cumbria and Lancashire will lead to an increase in the number of healthcare staff working across the area since additional staff will be required to operate the new services. Detailed work force plans for CATS are still to be developed.
Health services across Cumbria are currently being reviewed to ensure that local services are sustainable, fit for purpose, effective and affordable. Proposals for a new acute hospital in West Cumbria are being developed in the context of this review. Any proposals emerging from this review will be subject to public consultation in due course.
The six primary care trusts (PCTs) in Cumbria and Lancashire are currently carrying out public consultation on the details of the local implementation of the clinical assessment, treatment and support (CATS) services in the two counties. The consultation covers the locations of the CATS sites, the impact on the wider health services, how the CATS can fit seamlessly into the pathway from general practitioner referrer through to local hospitals treatment, and whether the clinical specialties proposed (orthopaedics, rheumatology, ear, nose and throat, general surgery, urology and gynaecology) are the most appropriate. The PCTs are also undertaking a locality impact assessment of the CATS scheme. These pieces of work will be considered as part of the Cumbria whole system review.