An MP is urging members of the public to attend a health meeting this week, saying that a low turnout would send the wrong message to NHS bosses.

The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, would like as many people as possible to be present at Wednesday's meeting - which is part of the so-called Great Debate on health.

The meeting, at Kendal's Riverside Hotel, will also include a consultation on the proposed CATS centres - new assessment and treatment centres which would be provided by a private company for NHS patients.

Mr Farron said: "My concern is because this is a general debate, and there's to be the wrapping up of lots of things together, there may not be a high attendance, but there should be.

"The future of the local health service is absolutely crucial. A low turnout would send the wrong signals to the trust."

The meeting is one part of a county-wide review of the way in which health services are provided which is being carried out by Cumbria Primary Care Trust. Urgent action was needed, it said, because without changes the NHS in the county could face a £170 million deficit within three years, and financial and service collapse.

Busy meetings have already taken place at Whitehaven, Keswick, and Carlisle, when CATS centres and the future of local hospitals were at the top of the agenda.

Proposed cuts to Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital, which would see all South Lakeland heart attack and stroke patients taken to Lancaster or Barrow instead, are expected to feature prominently at the Kendal meeting.

Westmorland Gazette readers have supplied questions which will be used to help select a number to put to a panel of health bosses, including Cumbria PCT chief executive Sue Page, and the acting chief executive of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, Kevin McGee.

Questions will also be invited from the floor, and the meeting will be chaired by Gazette editor/publisher Mike Glover.

* The meeting will take place on February 14, at the Riverside Hotel, at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.45pm.