PCN Name: Carlisle Rural
Network Population: 20,610
Overview of Areas:

Our main Practice is situated in Brampton, a small town situated in the North West of England within the county of Cumbria, north of the famous Lake District National Park.

Close to Hadrian’s Wall, Brampton is surrounded by the area’s stunning scenery and bounty of historically significant and culturally important sites. Our Practice area covers from Armathwaite to the edge of Kershope Forest including small villages such as Wetheral, Corby Hill, Bewcastle, Greenhead and more.

Longtown is a small market town situated on the English-Scottish border – 3 miles from Gretna and 7 miles from Carlisle. Longtown has a very turbulent history, lying at the heart of the “Debatable Lands”. The 1542 Battle of the Solway Moss was fought here between the Scottish and English armies at the time of James V. Arthuret Church dates from 1150 and is strongly linked to the legend of King Arthur.

Unlike many towns which grew from smaller settlements or villages, Longtown was planned and built in the late 18th century by the local landowners, the Grahams of Netherby. The Reverend Robert Graham laid out the town with the wide tree-lined streets you see today. He established the Graham Arms as a coaching inn for travellers and mail from Edinburgh across the toll bridge. Longtown has a population of approximately 3,000.

Clinical Director:  Dr Mark Alban
Operational Lead: Tracie Webb

Dr Mark Alban said: “Carlisle Rural PCN, which covers Brampton and Longtown, is the second smallest in the country at just over 20,000 patients covers a large and sparsely populated 600 square mile territory in the very north eastern corner of Cumbria.  It borders Scotland and Northumberland to the north and east, the M6 motorway to the west and the  Eden valley to the south.  Eighty percent of the PCN population is registered at Brampton, the other fifth at Longtown. We are a two practice PCN. 

"Through additional role reimbursement we have been able to offer our patients a number of Advanced care roles such as Nurse Practitioners, a First Contact physiotherapist and Pharmacist.  We have also employed pharmacy technicians, Barnados (childrens) Link workers (social prescribers), a small personalised care team and a mental health practitioner, all of whom have filled valuable gaps in our health offer. The roles are well integrated into our practice teams and provide a seamless service to our patients.  We are enthusiastic about the future and see particular promise in our exceptional Frailty team and expanding social prescribing workforce, while also recognising that there is much more to be done.

“Looking ahead we need to start thinking hard about population health and helping people to help themselves by making better choices in terms of consumption and activity. We are working with partners in other parts of the Integrated Care system such as Community teams, Social Care and third sector providers to identify how we do this by designing support for our local area specifically as well as tapping into wider initiatives with other areas of North Cumbria.  We recognise that the task ahead in terms of population health is difficult but we are excited by the opportunities and in working together with all parts of our locality to improve all outcomes for people, not just health.”

Our Practice team consists of 12 GPs, 3 Advanced Nurse practitioners, 6 Nurses, and 6 Healthcare Assistants supported by a large group of reception and administration staff.

In addition to this, we have a Frailty Team which includes a Memory Support Worker and also a First Contact Physiotherapist. We expect to have Mental Health Support within the team again in the near future.

16.3.23
"Thank you to all the team for your care and support shown whilst you cared for my wife, and also the support you gave myself and family. Bless you all."

2.4.23
"To, The Doctors, Nurses and receptionists, I saw recently at the practice. I was in pain and feeling really vunerable as i live on my own. I was shown such kindness and consideration by you all."

2.6.23
"Singing the praises of everyone in the practice. She said 'It's always a pleasure to deal with the surgery. Without the help of your staff, the hell we have recently been through would have been far more difficult."

6.6.23
"I've just spoken to a patient who wanted to pass on his thanks to all in the practice, every department has been very helpful and supportive and he cannot sing our praises enough."

14.7.23
Patient would like to tell everyone he thinks you are all marvellous.

Longtown Medical Practice is a small, friendly practice with an experienced and committed team of GPs, Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Frailty Care Co-ordinator supported by our small but highly effective reception and administration teams.

We are a close-knit team and all of our staff are long-serving – even our two new nurses were recruited from the District Nurse team who are based at the surgery.

  • "The Practice is so efficient, friendly and caring – must be one of the best GP practices in the country."
     
  • "Always goes above and beyond – excellent care."
     
  • "Been using the Practice for a number of years now – excellent practice, you all do a fantastic job."
     
  • "The GP really listened to my problem and came up with a plan that suited to me. Not just a tick-list that the doctor has to follow, a real plan to help me recover physically and mentally. I couldn’t be more grateful for the compassion I received today."
     
  • "Always a clean and tidy practice with friendly welcoming reception staff and very friendly, professional nursing staff."

Brampton Medical Practice
4 Market Place Brampton
CA8 1NL
016977 2551

Longtown Medical Centre
Moor Road
Longtown
CA6 5XA
01228 791328