Copeland's Labour MP Jamie Reed has restated the need for a new hospital in West Cumbria terming it a "national strategic priority." He said:

"I fully support the Whitehaven News' hospital campaign as it assists the work I am doing in Parliament and I intend to draw attention to this campaign on the floor of the House of Commons.

"West Cumbria needs a new hospital which provides a full range of services to meet the needs of West Cumbrians. A new hospital is necessary for staff recruitment and retention, would be better for patients and will be a cornerstone of the regeneration of the area.

"In addition, a new hospital for West Cumbria is a national strategic priority if we are to become the international centre of excellence for the nuclear industry. No one can countenance the accelerated decommissioning of the Sellafield site without a first-class hospital and health infrastructure in close proximity to the plant: this is non-negotiable.

"In any event, we deserve these services. The government has invested record amounts of funding into the health service in Cumbria, the people of West Cumbria have made their views clear through public consultation, and the County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee has also stressed the need for current services to be retained and for a new hospital in West Cumbria.

"It is unacceptable for unaccountable management consultants to spread anxiety amongst the hospital staff and amongst patients and service users in West Cumbria. I completely support the retention of obstetric and gynaecology provision as part of a fully functioning consultant led maternity unit at the hospital and I have repeatedly made this case. I will be meeting with local nursing staff at Westminster this week to discuss these issues. The demands of our community are clear and I expect them to be met."