Thousands discuss hospital cuts concerns

Protestors say their message can't be ignored, after a public meeting about the loss of hospital services in west Cumbria.

Around 4,000 people attended the gathering in Whitehaven last night, and the area's MP Jamie Reed said the huge showing marked a turning point.

Whitehaven is getting a fully functioning new hospital but the protestors are angry that some procedures are being moved to Carlisle, some 40 miles away.

The NHS in Cumbria says it's only being done in a few areas where it's safer for patients.

Tim Backshall was at the meeting.

Health officials say they understand the concerns of the people who demonstrated in west Cumbria last night but say they need to ensure services are safe and save lives.

Around four thousand people went to the town's rugby league ground to question health officials about their plans for the new West Cumberland Hospital, which is nearly finished.

They're worried that some services are being transferred to Carlisle, 40 miles away.

The North Cumbria NHS Trust says only high risk operations have been moved, because of a lack of qualified staff in Whitehaven, and mortality rates have fallen as a result.

Many people raised particular concerns about the future of consultant-led maternity services at the hospital.

But Dr. David Rogers, of NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, says the preferred option is to see it remain in Whitehaven.

After the meeting he spoke to our reporter, Tim Backshall.

Copeland's MP Jamie Reed says a huge demonstration in Whitehaven last night against health service changes is "a sign of frustration."

Around four thousand people went to the town's rugby league ground to question health officials about their plans for the new West Cumberland Hospital, which is nearly finished in the town. They're worried that some services are being transferred to Carlisle.

The North Cumbria NHS Trust says only high risk operations have been moved, because of a lack of qualified staff in Whitehaven, and mortality rates have fallen as a result.

But Jamie Reed says west Cumbria is not getting the hospital it was promised and the trust hasn't been honest or accountable. He says the demonstration should force health officials to change.

Thousands of people turned out for a public meeting about the future of West Cumberland Hospital.

They'll discuss the construction of Whitehaven's new hospital, which is due to be finished in December, with NHS bosses and MPs.

Our reporter Tim Backshall has been tweeting from the scene.

The meeting was held at Whitehaven Rugby League Club, to allow local people to have their say about the building of a new hospital.

Local campaigners are concerned the plans will lead to cuts to services.

Around 4,000 people in West Cumbria turned out to protest over concerns to cuts to hospital services.

ITV Border correspondent Tim Backshall was at the protest at Whitehaven's rugby league ground.

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.

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.

Hundreds of people are expected to pose their questions to NHS bosses tonight, after concerns were raised about the future of health services in West Cumbria.

The meeting is part of an ongoing campaign against any possible cuts to services. NHS officials and the area's MP are expected to speak at tonight's meeting.

The West Cumberland Hospital has "a positive future", according the Health Trust which runs it.

The North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has issued a statement ahead of a public meeting tonight in which hundreds or even thousands of protestors are expected to question officials. Because of the high numbers Whitehaven's rugby league ground is being used to host the event, with a makeshift stage being put up at one end of the pitch.

Protestors, who marched through the streets of Whitehaven in the summer, are worried that as a new hospital is built in the town, some services may be transferred to Carlisle.

The Trust says only high risk emergency surgery has been moved and that is because there aren't enough qualified staff in Whitehaven to carry out those operations safely in west Cumbria. Such services as trauma, orthopaedic, and cardiac cases have moved. It says as a result mortality rates in west Cumbria have fallen.

The Trust also claims that more general operations will be carried out in Whitehaven when the new hospital is finished in December.

The public meeting starts at 7pm.

Healthcare leaders in North Cumbria have promised a positive future for the West Cumberland Hospital.

Several hundred people are expected at a public meeting today (September 29) over concerns about services and patient care. It comes as a new hospital is being built in Whitehaven.

The University Hospitals NHS Trust admits that medical services at the hospital are 'very fragile' but reassure that the new hospital will:

• Continue to have an A&E department
• Continue to take the vast majority of medical admissions
• Continue to provide critical care with specialists looking after the seriously ill
• Provide access to more local services
• Outpatients appointments are to be brought back to West Cumbria with access to a wider variety of specialists
• Carry out more operations with more theatres
• Care for hundreds more people choosing their local hospital for routine operations and procedures