Consultant led maternity services in West Cumbria will remain in place on a trial basis only following a controversial government decision announced today.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has confirmed his Independent Reconfiguration Panel has ruled consultants should stay at Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital for 12 months as attempts are made to solve ongoing recruitment issues.

But the news comes as a blow to campaigners who claimed it could 'sound the death knell' for consultant-led births at the site.

Retired surgeon Mahesh Dhebar, of the We Need West Cumberland Hospital group, said: "It's very disappointing.

"This situation is totally unacceptable in the sixth largest economy in the world in 2017.

"Consultants will not take a permanent job here if the service may move to Carlisle in six months.

"We need to carry on recruiting locums and then making these posts substantive.

"Losing a consultant led service will put lives in danger, it's a simple as that."

Dr Dhebar added: "Nowhere in the country is there a trust with hospitals that are 40 miles apart.

"The government want to do this here in Cumbria so they can use it as an example and do the same thing elsewhere.

"There is a reason behind this."

North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group presented three options for maternity provision at the West Cumberland Hospital earlier this year.

In March the organisation, which is responsible for buying in health services on behalf of residents, opted to press ahead with Option 1.

This was to continue with consultant-led maternity services at the hospital for a year in a bid to fill vacant posts.

Meanwhile a standalone midwife-led unit would be established on site.

The move caused anger among residents across the area and was referred to Mr Hunt for a full review.

That review has now confirmed Option 1 as the way forward.

A letter on the matter from the Department of Health states: "The IRP has undertaken an initial assessment, in accordance with our agreed protocol for handling contested proposals for the reconfiguration of NHS services.

"The panel considers each referral on its merits and concludes that this referral is not suitable for full review because further local action by the NHS with the HSC can address the issues raised."

At the moment about three women in the area give birth before reaching hospital every year.

Campaigners claim this figure could increase to an estimated 14 women a year if consultant led maternity services are only available in Carlisle.

Stephen Childs, North Cumbria CCG chief executive, said: “We have always been very clear that we are wholly committed to delivering Option 1 – which includes consultant-led maternity services at the West Cumberland Hospital, if they are safe and sustainable.

"This review endorses the work we are doing to secure that.

“We understand there may be some disappointment in the community with this decision, but we would absolutely urge everyone who cares about their community to work with us to make services at West Cumberland Hospital a sustainable success.

“Our commitment to co-produce future services is already bringing together members of the community, NHS and care staff, as well as health and social care leaders.

"By working together positively we believe we can meet the many challenges ahead, the greatest of which remains the recruitment of medical and nursing professionals.

“We heard very clearly through the consultation that the NHS does not have all the answers, and we are convinced that the only way to secure these services in west Cumbria for the future is by working positively and constructively together.”

Stephen Eames, chief executive at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs WCH, said: “I would like to thank the Independent Reconfiguration Panel for their scrutiny of this very difficult decision.

"Our prime concern remains with the safety of our services for women and children across west, north and east Cumbria and we are absolutely committed to protecting patient safety and the quality of our services.

"The IRP recognises the work we have been doing to-date in order to sustain consultant-led services at West Cumberland Hospital as well as acknowledging the challenges we are facing.

“I understand that members of staff and our community may feel disappointed today but I would like to reiterate our commitment to both delivering Option 1 and to the future of West Cumberland Hospital.

"We are continuing to focus on recruiting more permanent medical and nursing staff to the trust with a range of initiatives being undertaken.

"We also recently shared exciting plans for the further redevelopment of the hospital and I would like us all to work together to secure a very positive future for health and care services in West Cumbria.”