Hospital campaigners are backing a vote of no confidence in the Government’s Success Regime.

More than 1,200 have signed an online petition organised by the We Need West Cumberland Hospital group.

By signing, they are backing a vote of no confidence in the organisations behind controversial plans to overhaul the local NHS – including removing consultant-led maternity from Whitehaven.

The children’s ward, emergency health services, urgent stroke care and complex trauma are also under threat, as are beds at community hospitals across the area.

The plans have been widely criticised, with many feeling the concerns of local communities have been ignored.

Allerdale council has already passed a vote of no confidence in the Success Regime, which was brought in by the Government to tackle deep-rooted problems in the local NHS – which is seen as one of the three most troubled area’s of the country.

Now the We Need West Cumberland Hospital group are petitioning health Secretary Jeremy Hunt via the change.org website . In just a few days it has attracted hundreds of signatures.

Annette Robson, from the group, explained why the feel a vote of no confidence is needed.


Annette Robson

“The Success Regime has failed to meet the stated aims of the programme to look at healthcare in Cumbria launched in September 2015.

“The document that the Success Regime issued last week does not offer options that are acceptable to the people of west Cumbria for maternity services, children’s services, community hospitals and emergency and acute care – it therefore cannot be considered by us as a credible consultation document.

“We do not believe that the Success Regime has the best interests of the community, patients and staff at heart. We do not trust their decision-making and question their integrity given the misleading information we have been given.


Download a paper version of the Save Our Services petition here

Petition: Sign the online Save Our Services petition here


“We demand that services be restored and retained at West Cumberland Hospital so that the people of west Cumbria have access to safe and equitable health care.”

To sign the petition search for Vote of No Confidence in the Success Regime on change.org or use the link on the group’s Facebook page.


Revealed: Success Regime's plans for health services in Cumbria