Outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron has been urged to act on promises he made about hospital services in the aftermath of the Derrick Bird shootings.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed has written to Mr Cameron, who is set to leave 10 Downing Street this week, pleading with him to secure the West Cumberland Hospital before he goes.

He said people in West Cumbria need to know they have a hospital that can deal with a major emergency, and called on the Prime Minister to guarantee the future of vital services.

The troubled Whitehaven hospital is currently under review, with fears growing for the future of emergency care, maternity, paediatrics and more.

Mr Cameron visited the West Cumberland Hospital immediately after the 2010 shootings – when 12 people were killed and 11 injured at the hands of gunman Bird – in the midst of a major incident.

Having been in post for less than a month, the then new Prime Minister met staff who had saved lives and patients who almost lost theirs.

And Mr Reed said he gave assurances then, to both him and some of those affected, that he would protect local hospital services.

Now the Labour MP wants him to honour those promises, before it is too late.

Mr Reed stressed that he did not want to turn the tragedy into a political issue. Instead he said it was a personal appeal to Mr Cameron’s morality, as he prepares to stand down.

He told the News & Star : “It was the first tragedy he’d had to cope with as leader of our country.

“At the time I showed him around the hospital. I was there when he spoke to staff and people who were in hospital as a result.

“I also had lengthy private conversations, both at the West Cumberland Hospital and later in the offices at the House of Commons, when the Prime Minister made clear promises about retaining services.

“This transcends any petty party political squabble. It goes straight to the heart of a promise made by our leader to one of his most remote communities in its greatest hour of need.”

Mr Reed added that as well as guaranteeing services, he is also appealing for the funding needed to complete phase two of the West Cumberland Hospital to be released urgently.

He said there is still time for Mr Cameron, who he described as a “decent man”, to leave a legacy for the people of west Cumbria.

In the letter, which he sent last week, he added: “Both of us entered politics to improve the lives of the people of our country.

“Before you leave office, I now ask that you fulfill the promise that you made to the people of west Cumbria in 2010. Please intervene to oversee the release of funding for phase two of the redevelopment. Please make a commitment to ensuring that consultant-led services, including A&E, maternity, paediatric and more are retained and improved. In short, please honour the promises you made to me and my constituents in our darkest hour.”