Maryport's hospital must retain at least palliative care beds, MP Sue Hayman has warned.

Mrs Hayman met with Sir Neil McKay, the man leading changes to local health services, yesterday.

In an hour-long meeting, she raised issues of concern to people in the Workington constituency, including the threat of beds being lost at the community hospitals.

Mrs Hayman said: "I stressed the fact that it's really important that all the community hospitals stay open and that they're used more effectively.

"He said the intention is for all the community hospitals to stay open.

"My biggest concern for Maryport hospital, on the understanding that he keeps that promise, I think the plan is to remove all the beds.

"I've asked if we could at least retain some palliative care beds and he's looking into it.

"I can see how they can think that it's not far to travel from Maryport to Workington or Cockermouth but when you're talking about palliative care it is a long way."

The Success Regime, chaired by Sir Neil, has been brought in by the government to transform struggling health services across north and West Cumbria. 

Early suggestions include closing in-patient wards at some of all community hospitals.

Mrs Hayman said: "I'm hopeful that all the community hospitals will say open.

"They're looking to turn them into what they call integrated care hubs."

The pair also discussed the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven during the meeting and Mrs Hayman said it was possible some services could return there from Carlisle.

She said: "Sir Neil said he's convinced of the need for West Cumberland Hospital as an acute hospital locally.

"We talked in particular about maternity services and that it's critically important that we retain consultant-led maternity services in Whitehaven.

"His response was if that's possible that's the ideal option but staffing and recruitment is currently a problem so they're looking closely at what options can be offered safely.

"I've said if they're looking at safety they need to consider travel time on the A595."

The meeting came about a month after Mrs Hayman raised concerns that she had not been able to meet with Sir Neil since he took up his role.

This week, she said: I'm glad I have had the opportunity to meet him and I hope we can continue to meet regularly."

Mrs Hayman and Sir Neil also attended a meeting with hospitals minister Bem Gummer, Copeland MP Jamie Reed and Carlisle MP John Stevenson on Tuesday.

Other issues discussed included working partnerships with health trusts in Northumbria and Newcastle, which are being finalised to help boost recruitment.