New accommodation brings GP trainees to Cumbria

Thanks to new accommodation that has been provided as a partnership between Allerdale Borough Council, Impact Housing and the NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commission Group, trainee GPs from London medical schools have had the opportunity to work in West Cumbria.

The house, which is in Workington, was renovated with the purpose of providing trainee GPs and other healthcare professionals from across England the chance to train away from home for a period of time, allowing them to gain experience in both living and working within the communities of Cumbria.

Impact Housing provided the house for the project, with Allerdale Borough Council funding a significant amount of the works, as well as covering rent for the guests.

Sponsors Fred Story, Bill Dobie, G & A M Lawson, Listers, Jeff Taylor’s, Genesis, G & D Macbeth & Son and the Sellafield Snowball Fund also contributed equipment and furnishings for the house.

Carne Mccarran-Holmes, Allerdale Borough Council’s executive member for housing, health and well-being, says: “I am absolutely delighted with the success of the project so far. One of the council’s key priorities is to improve health and wellbeing in the local area, so we were eager to get on board.

“It’s important to show those outside the area what we have to offer, however this can often be difficult for people to leave their homes due to financial ties. This opportunity allows medical professionals to come to our area and experience both the benefits of living and working here, plus the issues we face. I hope to see many more trainees take up the opportunity and potentially return to Cumbria full time in the future.”

Mark Costello, chair of Impact Housing, said: “Impact is delighted to be involved in a scheme that will encourage new GPs to work and live in West Cumbria and we are keen to be involved in similar projects in the future.”