ACCESS TO SERVICES There are some good health facilities in Carlisle. These include a 24-hour accident and emergency department at the Cumberland Infirmary and The Northern Centre for Cancer Care. In addition, a scheme called NHS App Ambassadors28 is currently being rolled out to improve understanding and use of NHS digital resources. However, concerns continue to be raised about access to general practitioner and dental care, particularly for those living in rural areas. The 2024 GP Patient Survey for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) offers helpful information about patient satisfaction levels and perceptions of GP access. 37% of patients found it difficult or fairly difficult to contact their GP by phone, but once they had seen a practitioner, 77% were happy with the experience. Increasing use of digital services is helping to improve this situation, but challenges remain for those who lack digital access or skills.29 When we talk about innovation and preventative work, many pharmacies now are doing a lot more work with people. Our pharmacies are brilliant. In Denton Holme, for example, the staff are really helpful and supportive, and the pharmacy almost has a 'walk in centre' feel to it. There is more of a role that pharmacies could actually play in our communities. Voluntary Sector Representative Our survey highlighted that people would like to see improvements to public services such as health or care services (37.3% of responses).30 12Life Expectancy at birth 3 year range (2020-22) Department of Health and Social Care, Local Authority Health Profiles: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-profiles/ data#page/1/ati/301/are/E07000028 13Life expectancy at birth 2016 – 2019, Data via Local Insight https://localinsight.org/ 14Local Authority Health Profile , Department of Health and Social Care, Fingertips, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-profiles/data#page/1/gid/1938132696/pat/6/ati/502/are/ E06000063/iid/90366/age/1/sex/1/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/3/cid/4/tbm/1 15Local Authority Health Profile, Department of Health and Social Care, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-profiles/data#page/1/gid/1938132695/pat/6/par/E12000002/ ati/502/are/E06000063/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1 16Fingertips Data: Cancer, Department of Health and Social Care, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/cancer 17A Hopeful Future: Equity and the Social Determinants of Health in Lancashire and Cumbria: Institute of Health Equity, 2022. 18Fingertips Data: Behavioural Risk Factors, Department of Health and Social Care, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-profiles/data#page/1/gid/1938132694/pat/6/par/ E12000002/ati/301/are/E07000028/yrr/3/cid/4/tbm/1 19Sport England Data Active Lives data tables | Sport England www.sportengland.org 20Fingertips Data: Obesity Profile, Department of Health and Social Care, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/obesity 21This section covers adult mental health only. The mental health of children and young people is discussed in the Growing Up section of this report. 22What is “normal”, anyway? De-medicalising Mental Health and Neurodiversity: Cumberland Public Health Annual Report 2023/2024: Cumberland Council, 2024. https://cumbria.gov. uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/535/17941/38356/4541394120.pdf 23What is “normal”, anyway? De-medicalising Mental Health and Neurodiversity: Cumberland Public Health Annual Report 2023/2024: Cumberland Council, 2024, https://cumbria.gov. uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/535/17941/38356/4541394120.pdf 24Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cumbria: Health Needs Assessment: Cumberland Council, 2023. 25See also: https://www.itv.com/news/border/2023-05-18/mps-say-theyre-deeply-concerned-about-poor-mental-health-in-countryside and https://fcn.org.uk/blog/2021/11/18/new-studycalls-for-culture-change-in-farming-to-address-loneliness-isolation-and-mental-ill-health/ 26Fingertips Data: Self-Harm, Department of Health and Social Care, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/self%20harm 27Fingertips Data: Self-Harm, Department of Health and Social Care, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/self%20harm 28https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-app/become-an-nhs-app-ambassador 29The 2024 GP Patient Survey is available at https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/surveysandreports 30Survey Question: “Which three things would you like to see improve in Carlisle district? (Tick up to three)” Option wording- Improvements to public services such as health or care services. iCan Wellbeing Group iCan Wellbeing is a community-focused organisation dedicated to enhancing physical and mental wellbeing through inclusive fitness and wellness programmes. Located in Carlisle, iCan operates a community gym and wellness centre that serves as a welcoming space for individuals of all ages and abilities to start and maintain their healthier lifestyles. The community gym and wellness centre offers a variety of programmes tailored to the general public, including for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those managing long term health conditions. The centre offers specialised fitness classes, rehabilitation support, and mental wellness workshops, all designed to promote holistic wellbeing taught by lived experience mentors. The impact of iCan's services is significant: fostering improvements in both physical fitness and mental wellbeing as well as tackling social isolation among participants. Participants often report increased mobility, enhanced strength, and a greater sense of community belonging. One participant shared that “joining iCan has been life changing; I have regained my confidence and feel healthier both physically and mentally.” Another said: In 2024, iCan worked with more than 5,500 people via 14,000 interactions, encouraging people to engage in activities on a regular basis as a way to achieve long term change in their habits and behaviours. However, demand for services is outstripping the organisation’s ability to meet the needs of everyone who comes forward for support and iCan is currently seeking solutions to expand both space and capacity. iCan’s latest social return on investment evaluation demonstrated that for every £1 spent, £6.15 worth of value was achieved, much of it thanks to the dedication and support of iCan’s knowledgeable staff and volunteers who are committed to making wellness activities fun, safe, engaging and affordable. CASE STUDY iCan is my happy place, it helps me daily feel better and I can now walk without an aid which is life changing. Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 60 61
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