Hospital staff have been given a warning about their use of social media as bosses prepare to unveil potentially-controversial changes to north Cumbria's health services.

It is also understood some members of staff have been called into meetings with managers after publicly raising concerns about options put forward to date.

The Success Regime, working alongside NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, is set to publish its formal plans at the end of the month, followed by an official consultation.

Proposals to date include downgrading the consultant-led maternity unit and children's ward at Whitehaven, prompting a backlash from the West Cumbrian community and safety fears.

A number of NHS staff have spoken publicly about their concerns, or posted comments on social media sites.

Ahead of the final proposals being made public, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has written to its staff warning them they must maintain "professional standards and behaviour".

The letter, from the office of nursing and midwifery director Maurya Cushlow, says: "We would particularly like to remind all clinical staff of their responsibilities described in their professional codes of conduct and in additional guidance prepared by the Nursing and Midwifery Council on the use of social media.

"We have an explicit responsibility to abide by the standards and guidance laid down by our professional regulatory bodies and failure to do so could compromise your practice and lead to formal sanctions."

Campaigners believe the letter is a direct warning to those staff who have spoken out, accusing bosses of ruling by fear.

Lynne Davies, of the We Need West Cumberland Hospital campaign group, said: "We were optimistic there was to be less intimidation of staff and more open communication without negative ramifications.

"Sadly it seems this is not the case."

She added that staff live in the local community and have friends and family members who will be affected by any changes, so should be entitled to express their personal and professional views within reason, as long as it doesn't breach confidentiality.

Stephen Eames, chief executive of the trust, which runs the Whitehaven and Carlisle hospitals, said they will be engaging staff in the upcoming consultation and any concerns can be raised through various channels, along with its formal whistleblowing procedures.

“The trust actively encourages our staff to openly raise any concerns they may have through the appropriate channels which we widely promote. In addition, we absolutely want our staff to be engaged in shaping our future through the upcoming public consultation and welcome their involvement," he said.

“In line with all NHS organisations, we have a social media policy in place which is there to protect both our staff and our patients. As NHS employees, we all have professional code of conducts to follow which we have a responsibility to comply with at all times.”

Maternity staff are among those who have raised concerns about proposals to remove 24-hour consultant-led services from the West Cumberland Hospital to the Cumberland Infirmary. It would mean many mums having to travel to Carlisle to give birth.

On Saturday, it was revealed that six obstetric and gynaecology consultants have written to Success Regime medical director Stephen Singleton to stress that they would reject anything less than a full time consultant-led unit "on safety grounds".

Later this week health bosses, including Mr Eames and Regime boss Sir Neil McKay, will face local people at a meeting in Whitehaven.

The public meeting, organised by Copeland MP Jamie Reed, will take place at 7pm on Wednesday at the United Reformed Church, James Street.

Campaigners are urging as many people as possible to attend and asking them to spread the word by printing out leaflets, available on the We Need West Cumberland Hospital Facebook page.