A CUMBRIA MP has called for proposed changes to how health services are commissioned to not lead to cuts locally.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, does not want proposed changes to boundaries of Clinical Commissioning Groups to lead to services being taken away from Westmorland General Hospital.

Plans are being considered to take the south of the county out of the Cumbria CCG and add it to North Lancashire CCG to create a commissioning group for Morecambe Bay.

This decision would be in line with the boundaries of the area's two hospital trusts.

Mr Farron has consulted with a number of GPs as well as with health bosses about the proposed move.

He said: "Having spoken with numerous health professionals, I can see the case for creating a Clinical Commissioning Group to cover the South Lakes and North Lancashire area.

"However, I have made very clear that this cannot simply be an excuse for removing services or funding from Westmorland General Hospital and transferring them to Lancaster.

"I will continue to fight for our hospital, so that South Lakes residents can access locally the services they need."

Cumbria CCG and Lancashire North CCG say the plan would better integrate health services in Morecambe Bay and North Cumbria.

Approval for any change will be needed from NHS England.