Councillors vote against changes to sick children's care

Councillors have voted against plans to change children's health service in west Cumbria.

They have been expressing their concerns about the risks of transferring sick children by ambulance between west Cumbria and Carlisle.

Cumbria's Health Scrutiny Committee is meeting to discuss proposed changes to the county's health services which would see seriously ill children treated in Carlisle rather than west Cumbria.

A recommendation to refer children's services proposals back to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was voted through by eight votes to three.

A final decision at the end of today's meeting.

During the debate councillors said a dedicated ambulance to take children from Whitehaven to Carlisle wouldn't "provide safe service."

Councillors arriving for the meeting this morning were met by protestors calling for them to reject plans to cut community hospital beds in Maryport, Alston and Wigton.

There will be a full report on today's meeting in tonight's Lookaround at 6pm.

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