Hundreds attend NHS meeting to support our hospitals.

The URC Church in Whitehaven was full to overflowing this evening as hundreds attended the NHS "success regime" public meeting to discuss the future shape of health services in West, North and East Cumbria. Every seat both on the ground floor and upstairs was taken and some people had to stand.

The mood of the meeting was generally polite and constructive, but thunderous applause every time a speaker from the floor - or sometimes the platform - referred to the need to keep services in West Cumbria, particularly at West Cumberland Hospital, left nobody present in any doubt of the enormously strong public support for our hospital and the demand that we have as many services as possible provided here, as locally as possible.

The NHS Trusts' officials assured us that no final decisions have been taken, that they are considering options and listening at this stage, and that a more detailed consultation will take place later this year,

When this happens, details will be posted here.