West Cumberland Hospital: Protestors rally at open day

Campaigners want to retain all services at the hospital

Campaigners have staged a protest during the open day of a newly refurbished hospital in Cumbria.

West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven has undergone a £90m refurbishment, leading to some services being moved.

Protestors fear other services have been downgraded, citing a lack of emergency surgery options and risks with consultant-led maternity services.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust said moving services elsewhere has led to fewer deaths.

The organisation is in special measures after being criticised over mortality rates, staffing levels and standards of care.

'Safety first'

Trauma and cardiac services have now been moved to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, while others are under review.

Large parts of the existing hospital at Hensingham, have been bulldozed and rebuilt, with others completely refurbished.

The open day held in advance of its official opening in October attracted about 200 visitors, but a protest was held by the We Need West Cumberland Hospital group which expressed concern over the loss of services to Carlisle.

Siobhan Gearing, from the group, said: "The building doesn't count, its the services that make a hospital."

Les Morgan, from the health trust, said: "People feel they should have everything on their doorstep, but safety has to come first.

"We still provide the vast majority of services on this site and now in a brand new hospital that should be a credit to the people of Whitehaven."