Unanimous support was given by community leaders across Cumbria to ensure that no beds will be axed from community hospital before adequate arrangements are in place.

Lord Roger Liddle tabled a motion at a full meeting of Cumbria County Council, on Thursday, in response to comments by health chiefs that the process of removing beds could start in April next year.

The Wigton councillor expressed "grave concern" at the manner and pace Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is pressing ahead with plans to close the beds at Wigton Hospital.

In December 2016 the cabinet told the Success Regime it supported the concept of Integrated Care Communities with the aim of bring the NHS community, adult social care and GP provision together, but made it clear that it opposed the removal of community hospital beds - at Wigton, Maryport and Alston - without costed alternative arrangements being but in place.

The Labour Peer said there were still many unanswered questions, such as how beds would be staffed and how 24 hour covered would be achieved.

"We are told the beds are going to close quite soon. There are a lot of unanswered points and the clock is ticking. That is a considerable concern," he said.

“What is happening at the moment is worrying staff and patients and weakening community confidence. We must offer what support we can."

He called for a joined up approach, urging health bosses to listen to concerns, particularly whilst bed blocking remained a principal concern at both north Cumbria’s hospitals.

Alternative plans centre around local care hubs called Integrated Care Communities (ICCs).

Lord Liddle said while good ideas are emerging, the ICCs are still a long way from fruition and unlikely to be up and running by April.

Council leader Stewart Young said not only should there be plans in place but they should haven been tested out.

Anne Burns said: "We need to get these beds sorted before they close down any units and it is a big task."

John Mallinson, for Houghton and Irthington, said: "We need to know what we are doing. We all have to approach the change there will be but we need to get it in the right order and make sure what is put in place still takes care of people."

Councillor James Airey, leader of the Conservatives, agreed with the points raised and shared his opposition's concerns but he said health bosses have insisted they are committed to ensuring a new system is up and running first.

"Now is not the time to be trading blows but a time to work collaboratively," he said.

Stephen Eames, chief executive of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, had said: “We are currently working as part of the Solway and Wigton Alliance to develop these alternative plans.

“We will be holding an event in early December to share these plans more widely with the community to gather feedback.

“The next steps would be to develop service design and delivery plans. We do hope that we can implement these plans during 2018/2019 but remain fully committed to ensuring that alternative plans are in place before beds are closed.”