Discussions about the future of maternity and paediatric services in Cumbria are gathering pace following the general election.

It follows a pledge from health bosses to work with local communities to tackle recruitment problems across the area.

NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) governing body met in March to determine whether or not to approve controversial plans to downgrade services as set out by the Government’s Success Regime.

They decided to give the consultant-led maternity unit at the West Cumberland Hospital a 12-month period to fill key vacancies, and promised to actively try to recruit.

However, if it fails, they will downgrade the obstetrics facility to a midwifery-led unit, meaning only low-risk births could take place in West Cumbria. All other women would be sent to Carlisle.

This decision would also affect the Special Care Baby Unit and paediatric cover at the West Cumberland Hospital.

The 12-month period has not yet started, and the entire decision could yet be overruled by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt after it was formally referred by the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee.

But in the meantime, the CCG is pressing ahead with its “co-production” plan – working alongside local people to tackle key issues. These include listening events held with the aim of starting discussions between the NHS and community.

Dr David Rogers, CCG medical director, said: “It’s about working together more collaboratively, and we encourage anybody who would like to get involved and share their ideas to come along to future events.”

A new Working Together Steering Group will meet on July 13.