Around 450 people turned out for an event urging West Cumbrians to join the fight to save local health services 

The STOP! public meeting, held on Sunday at Whitehaven Civic Hall, was organised by We Need West Cumberland Hospital campaign group who stated it was "fed up'' with endless consultations by the Success Regime.

By devising its own survey, based on the Regime's progress report on the future of the area's health services, the group aimed to be "more accessible''.  

Siobhan Gearing, founder of the group, said: "About 300 surveys were handed in on the day and everyone else took them away to fill in at home. Many also wrote personal messages, which are also being collected to hand to the Success Regime. 

"People were asking why is transferring patients 40 miles down a bad road even an option? Other highlighted their own stories - how they or their baby wouldn't have survived if they had been transferred to Carlisle during labour. 

"A lot of people weren't ticking any of the boxes, they were just saying they didn't agree with any of the options and stating their reasons.''

And she added: "We've had survey after survey but it's always the same. They say we don't want to do this - for example move consultant-led maternity - but it's still an option. Why have it as an option? Why not just rule it out?" 

Lynne Davies, of the campaign group, said: "We were delighted that so many people took time out of their precious weekend to complete (the surveys) with people travelling from as far as Cockermouth and Millom."

Speaking at the event were Mahesh Dhebar, of the campaign group, and Workington MP Sue Hayman. 

The views from the surveys will now be collated and presented to chiefs at the Success Regime.

Completed surveys can be handed back in at Whitehaven Civic Hall.