West Cumbria’s new £90 million hospital has welcomed its first patients. 

Services are gradually transferring to the new building at the West Cumberland Hospital and the first patients were seen on Monday.

Health chiefs are asking people to bear with them as services are transferred.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed, who was given a tour of the building prior to opening, said: “It has been a long and difficult journey to reach this point and there is still work to be done regarding services, but the whole community – public, patients and medical professionals should be proud of what we have achieved.

"The new West Cumberland Hospital is an amazing facility and is capable of providing us with the services that we need, want and deserve."

Services including A&E, Cumbria Health on Call, the emergency admissions unit, intensive care unit, the adult medical ward, maternity ward, delivery, special care baby unit and paediatrics have moved into the new building. 

Services to be moved next weekend are the adult surgical ward, theatres, and the day case unit. 

A spokesman for the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “Months of planning behind the scenes will ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum but members of the public are asked for their patience during the transfer period.

"Patients and visitors will access the new hospital via the existing main entrance, except for anyone attending A&E.

"The entrance to the new A&E department is at the rear of the hospital."

People are reminded that the ring road around the hospital site has reverted to one-way traffic, in a clockwise direction.

A small section of the ring road is still two-way for emergency vehicles only – the section between the helipad and the new A&E department.