Health campaigners are urging people to make the effort to go to a public meeting tomorrow if they care about their own health and that of their family, friends, colleagues and other human beings.

Often people don't appreciate their health until they're ill and similarly, they don't really pay attention to hospitals until they, or someone they love, needs one.

But Eveline Dugdale, from Wigton's League of Friends, is desperate for people to care about their local hospitals and the changes that could be implemented. The changes could affect you, particularly if you're a woman who ever intends on having children, a parent whose child might get ill or a person who may need to stay the night in hospital (which covers everyone).

Just in case you missed it, a government appointed organisation called the Success Regime has revealed it's plans to change hospitals in Cumbria . It has proposed changes to maternity services (including urgent gynaecology), stroke and acute medical services, children’s inpatient services, emergency surgery, and community hospital beds.

The Success Regime say the changes will particularly affect pregnant women, parents of children who are ill, patients who need to stay in hospital and all those who live in west Cumbria.

Wigton hospital is set to lose all its beds, which is why Mrs Dugdale said she wanted everyone in the area from Caldbeck to the Solway coast to go to tomorrow's meeting at The Market Hall from 7pm to 9pm.

Mrs Dugdale was particularly concerned because at a recent meeting in Silloth, two thirds of the room was empty.

She said: "I need all those people [who live] round about to know that I need the Success Regime to know they care. I need them to come out."

There is also a meeting tomorrow afternoon in Penrith.

The following meetings are also planned:

-Kirkby Stephen: Wednesday, October 26, 1pm to 3pm, Masonic Hall

-Alston: Wednesday, October 26, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Samuel Kings School

-Workington: Monday, November 7, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Carnegie Theatre

-Whitehaven: Tuesday, November 8, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, United Reformed Church

-Cockermouth: Wednesday, November 9, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Cockermouth School Eco Centre

People can respond to the consultation online: www.wnecumbria.nhs.uk or by printing and sending a form at the end of the consultation document .

Consultation responses will be analysed independently and an analysis report will be presented to the NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group in early 2017. NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group and other local NHS organisations will consider the report before taking any decisions on service changes.

The News & Star is also running a Save Our Services campaign and you can sign our petition here.