CAMPAIGNERS in Alston are fighting to safeguard the future of beds at the town’s cottage hospital.

Alston’s Ruth Lancaster James Hospital provides half a dozen beds for rehabilitation and end of life care, as well as other healthcare services.

Health chiefs are carrying out a review of services across North and West Cumbria.

The review follows a report published by the Success Regime, set up by the NHS to improve health and social care.

The Success Regime has conducted a number of public meetings in different areas affected, including Alston.

Health chiefs insist no decisions have been made, but said that different options are currently being considered for community hospital beds.

One option is to focus in-patient beds on a smaller number of sites. An alternative option would see all community hospitals developed as community hubs without in-patient facilities.

Campaigners believe the review could lead to the loss of cottage hospital beds at Alston, and elsewhere in Cumbria, with a centralisation of beds in Penrith or Carlisle.

Alix Martin set up an online petition ‘Save Alston Cottage Hospital Beds’ which has yielded over 470 names so far.

She said: “We just fear the beds will be taken away, and travelling further afield is no good for patients and their families. Public transport is limited. There used to be 20 beds at Alston, but they have reduced in numbers over the years.

“I don’t know if there are enough beds for them to be economically viable, but the hospital has had beds for 100 years.

“It’s not just for elderly people; the hospital supports people who are convalescing, or suffering from terminal illness.

“There are other services at the hospital – a doctor’s surgery, a dentist and a physio – and it helps people not only from Alston, but also from the likes of Haltwhistle and Weardale.”

Sir Neil McKay, the chairman of the West, North and East Cumbria Success Regime programme board, said consultation was key.

He said: “Through the various meetings, conversations and feedback we have received online via social media and through our website, we are already hearing a broad spectrum of opinion on how services should be run in the future.”