Patricia Hewitt speaks on Maternity in West Cumbria

The Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has urged the local health trusts to think very carefully about any proposals to amend maternity services for West Cumbria.

Her comments have been interpreted as a signal that closing or cutting maternity at West Cumberland Hospital would be a bad idea.

In itself, these words are welcome. But it is actions rather than words from the government will are needed to safeguard our hospital services