My response to the Care Quality Commission putting Cockermouth’s GP surgery into special measures
“This news is devastating but unsurprising.
Many patients will read this and recognise that the inconvenience and poor service they’ve experienced is part of a bigger picture. Sadly, for some constituents the situation is far more tragic. Some will now be questioning whether the problems at this practice have impacted the diagnosis of major health conditions, with families asking whether poor service contributed to the early death of loved ones.
This is not isolated, it follows repeated warnings since 2023, including two CQC inspection reports, a formal warning notice, and a coroner’s report highlighting serious failings.
This begs the question, why have these issues been allowed to persist and deteriorate to this point?
How can NHS commissioners sign contracts with independent contractors, which is what GP practices are, while lacking effective powers to intervene decisively when they fail to deliver quality services and patient safety?
I have engaged with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board on these difficult questions, and I know they have worked closely with the practice to support it over the last few months. I will now raise the CQC report with ministers in Department for Health and Social Care to establish what more can be done.
Patients in our area deserve better, and they deserve answers.”
You can read the full report here:
Castlegate and Derwent CQC Report June 2026
The number of concerned patients and their families who have contacted my office has steadily risen over the past year as many of the GP partners have left Castlegate and Derwent GP Surgery. I have met with patients, staff, doctors, the commissioners of the service and the regulator and yet here we are. I have raised the issue in Parliament, I have met with the Health Minister and I will continue to fight for better GP services for my constituents in Cockermouth until this is resolved.