Thousands protest over hospital cuts concerns

Thousands of people have attended a public meeting in Whitehaven this evening to protest about the loss of hospital services in West Cumbria.

Campaigners say that some services are being transferred from the new West Cumberland Hospital to Carlisle, a journey of 40 miles from Whitehaven.

They gathered at the town's rugby league ground to question health officials and make their opposition clear.

But the NHS in North Cumbria says only some high risk services are being moved because of insufficient staff in West Cumbria and patients will be safer under the new arrangements.