Success Regime bosses have denied claims that an extra ambulance commissioned for maternity transfers from Whitehaven to Carlisle would also be used for other emergencies.

Whitehaven councillor Christine Wharrier, who sits on the Cumbria Health Scrutiny committee, said this is what members were told during a meeting with local NHS managers.

The Success Regime has previously said that, should plans to remove consultant-led maternity from the West Cumberland Hospital go ahead, a dedicated ambulance would be established to transfer women to Carlisle should complications arise in Whitehaven.

But Mrs Wharrier said that during the scrutiny meeting, it became clear that the ambulance would not be solely for maternity.

"They stated categorically that the 'dedicated' ambulance would cover three areas - maternity, paediatrics and emergencies.

"It was also clarified that if there was a category red call on the way back and the ambulance was closest, it would have to respond to the call. They were not certain if they would be transferring patients back to west on the return journey," she said.

But when contacted by the News & Star , the Success Regime insisted this is not the case.

A spokesman said: “Last week NHS representatives gave evidence to the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee to assist members in their consideration of forthcoming decisions following the Healthcare for the Future consultation.

"It was made clear to committee members that the dedicated ambulance vehicle that forms part of certain maternity and paediatric consultation options was for the sole use of maternity and paediatric cases. A member of the Health Scrutiny Committee then asked if it would also be used by stroke patients and was told it would not. The same member then repeated the question and again was told the dedicated ambulance vehicle was not for stroke patients.

“We are confident the Health Scrutiny Committee fully understood this and we will be forwarding this statement to the committee to ensure all members can make reference to it.”