CAMPAIGNERS are calling upon the West Cumbria community to hang dummies with ribbons in support of the fight to save maternity services at the West Cumberland Hospital.

This follows protests by angry midwives who warned babies and mothers would die if plans to retain only daytime consultant cover went ahead.

The campaign has been set up by members of The We Need West Cumberland Hospital Group who are asking the public to tie dummies on their properties as a "visual symbol'' of their support.

And the group were gathering to hang their ribbons at the West Cumberland Hospital's old main entrance this afternoon (Saturday).

Siobhan Gearing, of The We Needs West Cumberland Hospital Group, said: “Nowhere in England is there a free standing midwife led unit 40 plus miles apart with a bed-to-bed travelling time of one hour 40 minutes.

"There is no such thing as a 'simple delivery', all have the potential to turn into a complex delivery in a minute. We need WCH to be a fully functioning hospital.”

Helping to launch the campaign yesterday (Friday) were Whitehaven county councillor, Christine Wharrier, and midwife Bernadette Bowness.

Mrs Wharrier said she deeply admired the midwives. "They are the advocates for their patients.

"They are speaking up because they have courage, and they know they are right.

"I would urge everyone to show their support by buying a dummy and tying it somewhere visual at their homes. We need to protect future families.''

A letter had been sent by WCH midwives to Stephen Eames, chief executive of the North Cumbria University Hospital NHS Trust, warning that transferring complex births during the night from the WCH to the Cumberland Infirmary would be "catastrophic''.

The midwives said they were "passionate about their jobs and passionate about their community'' and stated the potential changes to the maternity services "would ruin many midwives lives and careers due to the stressful situation they would find themselves in on a daily basis whilst caring for women and babies. "We are unable to stand back and be unaccountable by not voicing our concerns,'' they said.

A Success Regime spokesperson said: “The Success Regime is currently looking at several options in respect to maternity services and we welcome the value and input of staff in helping shape which options are right for our services and the families of north, west and east Cumbria. “Whilst we are in this period of engagement no decisions will be made about the future service configuration, or options to remove consultant cover from West Cumberland Hospital and nor will they be until after further engagement.'