Health chiefs will today unveil plans to overhaul north Cumbria's NHS – including potentially controversial proposals for maternity services, paediatrics and community hospital beds.

It is now a year since the Government-appointed Success Regime set out its intention to tackle deep-rooted problems in the local NHS. These include huge debts and problems recruitment.

But options put forward to date have proved highly controversial, prompting campaigns and protests to be launched across the area. Today these communities will find out if their concerns have been listened to when firm proposals are unveiled.

However despite opposition, the proposals are expected to include downgrading consultant-led maternity services - among others - in Whitehaven, moving more patients to Carlisle, and closing beds at some community hospitals to provide more care in people's own homes.

The plans will be set out in detail at a launch event today, followed by a formal 12-week consultation with more public meetings in communities across north and West Cumbria.