RESIDENTS of South Copeland communities are being ignored in moves to change healthcare provision in west Cumbria, it has been claimed.

The changes, which include cutting 24-hour consultancy-led maternity services at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, have also been branded as dangerous by Millom councillors.

The plans will also see difficult and life-threatening maternity cases being sent a further 40 miles to Carlisle.

The town council is now calling on people to take part in the consultation about the Success Regime's plans and make their voices heard.

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Councillor Felicity Wilson called on all councillors to respond to the consultation individually.

She said: "The map of the consultation area doesn't include Millom and Haverigg and they clearly haven't taken into account the impact it will have on our community who will have to travel those extra miles to Carlisle.

"The main failing is the incorrect assumption that all health care in the town comes from UHMBT (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust).

"If we lose these services where does that leave us?"

At a meeting on Wednesday night, all councillors expressed deep concerns about the plans and said they were eager to encourage as many people as possible to speak out during the consultation.

Councillor Tony Gilmore said: "I've read the document and it's very worrying.

"We've already spoken about the fact that they're struggling to recruit people to the area and that's been the excuse all the way through.

"And that's what I think it is: an excuse.

"BAE Systems and Sellafield both manage to recruit top people in their industries."

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Cllr Gilmore believes the decision will have a drastic effect on the community and will force many mothers into delivering their babies in Barrow.

He said: "I don't think mothers from Millom will chose the Whitehaven option - even if they have family there or other reasons for going.

"Even a mother with a low-risk pregnancy might not take the risk which leaves the question: where do they go?

"Barrow - and, let's be honest, that's not exactly the most successful maternity unit in the country."

Councillors also feared that increased pressure on Furness General Hospital would take its toll to the south and result in mothers having to travel as far as Lancaster to give birth.

Cllr Gilmore called for the trusts to communicate better and says the Success Regime must consider the impact on hospitals elsewhere.

He said: "There's no joined-up thinking on the part of the NHS. It's a very, very dangerous document."

Millom mayor Doug Wilson agreed, saying services at West Cumberland Hospital must be retained.

He said: "It's not joined up at all and they don't think in a joined-up way.

"Each one is thinking of its own options and is trying to make itself more sustainable and more attractive.

"They also need to think accessibility: if a road is blocked it's more than likely going to be the road to Barrow."

The consultation ends on Monday December 19.