NFU is joining the fight to save six small Cumbrian cottage hospitals that the NHS is threatening with closure.

Primary Care Trust chief executive, Nigel Woodcock, has proposed to end all inpatient services at Alston, Keswick, Brampton, Cockermouth, Maryport and Millom hospitals.

NFU Cumbria County Chairman, Alistair Mackintosh, is calling on all NFU members, their group secretaries and branch chairman to voice their disapproval to Mr Woodcock's proposals.

"I think it's tragic that these small hospitals are earmarked for closure when they are a vital lifeline for the Cumbrian rural community," said Mr Mackintosh.

"It's scandalous when services such as the air ambulance are all privately funded whilst the cottage hospitals, which I regard as the last bastions of the NHS for rural Cumbria, are being taken away.

"All NFU members should write to their local MP or to Mr Woodcock himself on behalf of the rural community to spell out to them how unhappy we all are."

Keswick farmer, Will Cockbain, is also appalled that his local hospital may be taken away from him.

Mr Cockbain, said: "In many cases residents in the proposed closure areas have not got the same provision of public transport so this is bound to have a negative impact on the basic health care available to them which the NFU finds totally unacceptable."

The current cost of health services in north Cumbria is £26.8 million and the Primary Care Trusts are expected to cut this by £8.5 million in the first year and £6.5 million in the second. So, residents in rural communities are bracing themselves for more cuts to be announced.

NFU Regional Director, Terry Abbott, said: This issue is clearly causing some alarm in the rural and farming communities and the NFU will do all it can to support the concerns expressed by its members."

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