A DEAL to provide specialist medical care for children in Cumbria has the potential to become a blueprint of how challenges in the NHS can be faced, according to Copeland MP Jamie Reed.

Mr Reed's comments come after it was announced children needing specialist care could be seen closer to home as doctors from the Great North Children's Hospital, based in Newcastle, would bring their expertise to the county.

“[The] announcement will see children across our area accessing some of the very best care available and accessing it right here in west Cumbria. This collaborative working should be welcomed by everyone," he said.

"Bringing high level expertise into our local hospitals will give everyone a boost and this partnership has the potential to be a blueprint to how innovative partnerships can address the challenges we face."

The new agreement, which could see specialists run a series of local clinics in north and west Cumbira, was made following talks between Stephen Eames, the newly-appointed chief executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, and Sir Leonard Fenwick, chief executive of the Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Reed stressed however, no one should be under any "illusion" and that there is still hard work ahead.

He said: “Everyone in West Cumbria will want to see the very best treatment for children available in our local hospital and local clinics and this announcement by the trust is a step in the right direction. 

"It is important for the trust, the CCG and for the community to work together to ensure the very best healthcare possible is available in our part of the world.”

The Great North Children’s Hospital is one of only 14 major children’s centres in the UK and provides a full range of services. 

Specialists there see patients from across the UK as well as those from abroad and is nationally accredited in many areas including diabetes, oncology, renal and rheumatology.

Mr Eames said forging close relationships with partner organisations to ensure patients have access to more professional services was one of his key priorities for the trust.