24/07/2025
A Personal Message About the Closure of ICU Level 3 at Furness General Hospital
The permanent closure of Level 3 ICU at Furness General Hospital has now been confirmed — and I don’t think we’ve fully recognised what that really means for our area. This is a loss we can’t afford to take lightly.
Barrow and Furness is one of the most geographically remote urban areas in England. Getting to Lancaster in an emergency isn’t always quick or simple. It’s not just the distance — it’s the roads, the weather, and the ambulance pressures. Level 3 ICU meant patients could receive life-saving care locally, without delays caused by transfer.
Barrow already ranks high for deprivation. That means more chronic illness, more financial hardship, and less access to services. Losing our highest level of critical care only deepens these inequalities. For many, the cost or practicalities of visiting loved ones in Lancaster just isn’t realistic.
One reason given for closure was consultant staffing. But there were recent permanent consultant anaesthetist appointments made — with the expectation Level 3 would return. Not all available recruitment incentives were used, raising serious concerns about the sincerity of efforts to retain the service.
Once a unit like this closes, it’s even harder to attract staff. It affects the whole hospital — including emergency surgery, complex care, and maternity services.
During COVID, this ICU served our community with extraordinary commitment. If we face another crisis, we will need it again. ICU roles require specialist training — these services can’t just be recreated in a hurry.
Yes, ICUs are expensive. But value isn’t just about cost — it’s about lives saved and care delivered close to home.
I believe there must be a full, transparent review of this decision — and proper public involvement. Especially now, as Barrow’s population is expected to grow due to BAE expansion.
This isn’t just about a unit. It’s about the right to survive a critical illness no matter your postcode.
If you agree:
PLEASE COPY & PASTE this message.
Because once it’s gone — it may never come back.
