CUMBRIAN hospital bosses have vowed to protect more staff than ever before this winter.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are to vaccinate record numbers of staff ahead of the seasonal flu influx.

The two trusts are working together to get all frontline staff vaccinated against flu to protect themselves, patients and their families.

Vaccinations are provided free of charge to all employees and are effective against this year's strain of flu.

Stephen Eames, chief executive of both trusts, said: "I'm really behind the flu fighter campaign once again.

"Our teams at both trusts have been really involved and proactive with the campaign, and are determined to increase the amount of people taking up the vaccination in 2017/18.

"I've had my vaccine and want to encourage all of our frontline NHS staff to have theirs. Not only is this a quick and simple procedure, with little or no side effects, but it can also save lives."

Meryl Lawrenson, professional lead for infection prevention and nursing at CPFT, said: "Australia and New Zealand have had a particularly hard flu season and our flu vaccine protects against the most prevalent strain of the virus they've had this year."