Cumbria & Lancashire Health Protection Unit

The HPU provides specialist health protection advice as well as operational support on all health protection matters to NHS trusts, local authorities, community health services (including schools and social services), and the general public. The local authority and Primary Care Trust (PCT) areas served by the Unit are listed on our areas covered page.

Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit (HPU) is part of the LRS Division of HPA North West, and covers the area of the former Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority (SHA). The SHA has now been incorporated into NHS North West.

Cumbria and Lancashire HPU has a multidisciplinary team of medical, nursing, emergency planning, and other public health staff. In addition, we usually have Specialist Registrars and Associates in Public Health on attachment. Our main office is in Chorley and there is a smaller satellite offices in Carlisle. The Unit covers the same geographical area as Cumbria and Lancashire SHA, and has a population of 2 million, covering a large area of some 1 million hectares.

We have a number of chemical and radiological sites in our area. The rural nature of much of our area also means we face challenges from zoonotic infections. Our local partners consist of 6 Primary Care Trusts, 5 acute NHS Trusts, 3 Mental Health or Learning Disability Trusts, 2 County Councils, 2 Unitary Authorities, 18 District Councils, 2 Police Authorities and 2 Fires Services.  Most other partners are at regional level (Strategic Health Authority, Ambulance Trust, Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive, Prisons service, United Utilities etc).

Last reviewed: 22 July 2008