NHS

Figures indicate some cancer patients in Cumbria are not going for life-prolonging treatment because of the distance they would have to travel.

People in the south of the county have to travel to Preston for regular radiotherapy and round trips can take between three and six hours.

Figures from the Department of Health show the number of patients going for radiotherapy drops as travel time increases.

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The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, who has campaigned for many years for a radiotherapy unit at the hospital in Kendal (pictured), says his experience backs up the statistics.

A lady in her 90s told me face to face that being diagnosed with cancer for the third time, she would be turning down treatment at this end just simply because of the distance."

PA

The rate of people dying from strokes decreased by 55% in a decade, according to a study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal).

Researchers from the University of Oxford analysed data from almost 800,000 adults in England admitted to hospital between 2001 and 2010.

The authors said: "Our findings show that most of the reduction in stroke mortality is a result of improved survival of patients with stroke.

"However, acute and long-term management of such patients is expensive, and the NHS is already spending about 5% of its budget on stroke care.

"By focusing on prevention and reducing the occurrence of stroke, major resources can be conserved."

The study found that death rates from strokes decreased across all age groups. In men, overall death rates dropped from 140 per 100,000 people in 2001, to 74 per 100,000 people in 2010, and in women, from 128 per 100,000 to 72 per 100,000.

In case you missed it last night, the abuse and mistreatment of vulnerable adults at a specialist hospital has been uncovered by the BBC's Panorama programme.

Undercover BBC filming shows staff intimidating, mocking and restraining patients with learning disabilities and autism at Whorlton Hall, County Durham.

A police investigation has been launched and 16 staff suspended.

Cygnet, the firm which runs the unit, said it was "shocked and deeply saddened".