Community hospital campaigners have united against controversial proposals that would see beds close.

The Joint League of Friends, which represents all the area’s cottage hospitals, is not happy with any of the four options set out by the Success Regime and is instead calling for a fifth to be added.

They are also urging supporters in each community to turn out in force to upcoming public meetings to show their opposition.

The Joint League met this week for the first time since the controversial Success Regime consultation was launched. Its preferred option is to close the beds in Wigton, Maryport and Alston and consolidate a smaller total number across the remaining hospital sites – because bigger units are easier to staff.

The other options would see beds go from these three areas, along with those from other sites. There is no option to keep them all.

At present there are 133 beds spread across Wigton, Maryport, Alston, Penrith, Cockermouth, Workington, Brampton, Keswick and at the Copeland Unit at the West Cumberland Hospital.

All of the options would see that reduced to 104.

But the Joint League wants a new option added that would allow each community to keep its beds in one form or another. Suggestions include working more closely with social care to create hybrid units to provide both NHS and care home-style beds.

All of the hospitals have drawn up alternative plans they feel could address some of the long-running issues without stripping communities of beds that are seen as a lifeline, particularly to elderly residents.

Wigton campaigner Eveline Dugdale, chairwoman of the Joint League, said: “We decided that we do not like any of the Success Regime’s options and want to see a fifth option added.

“We’ve all accepted change is needed, but we feel that the changes we are proposing are better than the ones they have come up with. I think we need to keep beds everywhere, but in a different way. We now need to show how that would work.”

Mrs Dugdale said members of the Joint League will now be going back to their communities and calling for public support.

As part of the consultation, the Success Regime is holding public meetings across the area. “We need people to come out in force and show how much this means,” she added.

The meetings announced to date are:

Silloth: Wednesday, October 12, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Solway Technology Community College

Millom: Thursday, October 13, 1pm to 3pm, Guide Hall

Appleby: Thursday, October 13, 7pm to 9pm, Public Hall,

Carlisle: Tuesday, October 18, 1pm to 3pm, Crown & Mitre Hotel

Whitehaven: Wednesday, October 19, 1pm to 3pm, United Reformed Church

Maryport: Wednesday, October 19, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, The Wave Centre,

Penrith: Tuesday, October 25, 1pm to 3pm, Penrith Methodist Church

Wigton: Tuesday, October 25, 7pm to 9pm, The Market Hall

Kirkby Stephen: Wednesday, October 26, 1pm to 3pm, Masonic Hall

Alston: Wednesday, October 26, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Samuel Kings School

Workington: Monday, November 7, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Carnegie Theatre

Whitehaven: Tuesday, November 8, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, United Reformed Church

Cockermouth: Wednesday, November 9, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Cockermouth School Eco Centre