CAMPAIGNERS fighting to restore a 24-hour ward at Kendal's Helme Chase Maternity Unit have been invited to meet with senior health chiefs to discuss their concerns.

It comes after the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust revealed last month the unit was to be temporarily operated on an on-call basis between 8pm and 8am and at weekends.

More than 2,300 people have joined a group set up on social media and are now calling on the decision-makers behind the move to have a re-think.

The change means mums-to-be are being assessed at home before meeting a midwife at the unit or giving birth at home.

Since the change in shift patterns came into force on December 1, there has been eight births between 8pm and 8am and five on weekends, said the trust.

Mother-of-two Katie Wilson, who created the group on Facebook, said would-be mums, as well as concerned relatives and friends, are not happy with the changes.

"Babies are unpredictable, they do not know to arrive in working hours and not at a weekend," she said.

"Everyone is in one way or another associated with someone who is pregnant whether it be friends, relatives, work colleagues.

"I feel that reinstatement of a 24 hour midwife led ward would be most feasible.

"The page has been set up in reaction to the reduction in hours at Helme Chase and in no way reflects the amazing job our midwives do. They are all fantastic and I hope they support this issue as much as our community does."

The group has enlisted the help of South Lakes MP Tim Farron, who has written to UHMBT's chief executive Jackie Daniel detailing concerns from constituents.

Sascha Wells, deputy director and head of midwifery at the trust, said it was important to remember women can continue to give birth at the unit 24/7.

"We do welcome the support and enthusiasm that the new Helme Chase campaign group is showing for their local NHS services," she said.

"I would like to invite representatives from the group to come and meet with myself and other lead clinicians to discuss the change directly, and answer any queries or concerns they may have in order to address any misinterpretation."

She added: "There may be rare occasions where there are a large number of women in labour at the same time, and all three of our on-call midwives are busy caring for them.

"On these occasions, we will always put the safety of our women and babies first and direct any further women in labour to one of our other units.

"This would have happened regardless of the change to shift patterns as there was only ever one midwife present in Helme Chase out of hours with two further midwives on-call to assist if needed.

"If all three of these midwives were busy caring for women, any further women in labour would have been transferred to one of our other two units as that is what is safest for mother and baby.

"To reiterate, there are the same number of midwives available to support women of the unit.

"If any woman is concerned or simply has questions, we would urge them to speak to their midwife or call the unit and talk to a member of staff or the matron. I am sure we can easily provide the reassurance they seek."