A health minister has come under fire for avoiding the West Cumberland Hospital during a visit to Cumbria.

West Cumbrian MP Jamie Reed has repeatedly called on the Government to visit Whitehaven amid concerns for health services.

To date Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Prime Minister Theresa May and several health ministers have failed to visit.

Now it has emerged that David Mowat MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, made an official trip to the county yesterday - including visiting Millom, in the same Copeland constituency - without venturing as far as Whitehaven.

Mr Reed, who represents Copeland, has slammed the visit.

He added that failing to inform the local MP about the visit is a breach of Parliamentary protocol, which he is reporting.

He has also written direct to Mr Mowat.

Mr Reed said: “David Mowat has demonstrated a shocking disregard for our community. I have sent multiple letters, Parliamentary Questions and personal requests to the Secretary of State for Health and his Ministers, calling upon them to visit the West Cumberland Hospital to see for themselves the challenges faced by Health services in our community.

“Despite travelling to Copeland yesterday, Mr Mowat chose not to visit the West Cumberland Hospital. That is an insult to our community."

A review of health services in north and west Cumbria is currently being carried out by the Government's Success Regime. Consultant-led maternity services in Whitehaven are among those most at risk.