Phase two of the redevelopment of West Cumberland Hospital is now complete and, to mark the milestone, along with the site’s 60th anniversary, we’re remembering it in years gone by.

Health minister Philip Dunne visits West Cumberland HospitalHealth minister Philip Dunne visits West Cumberland Hospital (Image: John Story)
Patients and staff have been moving into the new part of the hospital which is part of the £40 million redevelopment. 
It consists of the Copeland Ward, the Loweswater Suite for Palliative Care, the stroke rehabilitation unit and wards for elderly and children’s care. 

Protestors Annette Robson, Coun Mike Hawkins, Siobhan Gearing, Jenny Fye and daughter Chloe, Mahesh Dhebar and Rachael Holliday at the health minister's visitProtestors Annette Robson, Coun Mike Hawkins, Siobhan Gearing, Jenny Fye and daughter Chloe, Mahesh Dhebar and Rachael Holliday at the health minister's visit (Image: John Story)
At the end of September the old stroke rehabilitation ward closed for the final time, bringing the four-year project to a close.

St Bees Triers bought a reclining chair, tea trolley and ice making machine for the A and E department at West Cumberland Hospital St Bees Triers bought a reclining chair, tea trolley and ice making machine for the A and E department at West Cumberland Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
Jill Foster, executive chief nurse at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the site, said: “This is the hospital the patients and staff deserve, they’ve waited a long time for this and I think we can all agree, it was worth the wait.”

Marion Kivell protests outside West Cumberland HospitalMarion Kivell protests outside West Cumberland Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
The hospital in Hensingham, Whitehaven, was the first district general hospital to be built in England following the creation of the National Health Service.
A campaign group has fought to maintain services there after many were moved to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

Runners in the Great Cumbrian Run 2016 raised money for the West Cumberland Hospital's Special Care Baby UnitRunners in the Great Cumbrian Run 2016 raised money for the West Cumberland Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit (Image: Newsquest)
The first hospital in Whitehaven was the old Whitehaven Infirmary at Howgill Street, which was built in 1830.

The Lowther Lodge of Whitehaven Masonic Society gave £500 to the stroke unit at West Cumberland Hospital and £500 to the Workington RNLI Shannon Appeal (Image: Newsquest)
In 1924, the Earl of Lonsdale sold Whitehaven Castle to Herbert Wilson Walker, a local industrialist, who then donated the building to the people of West Cumberland, along with £20,000 to convert it into a new hospital.

Bassenthwaite Rotary Club presented £500 to the Special Care Baby Unit at West Cumberland Hospital Bassenthwaite Rotary Club presented £500 to the Special Care Baby Unit at West Cumberland Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
By 1951, the hospital needed replacing, and representations were made to the UK government.

Members of the Seaton Knit and Knat group made garments for premature babies at West Cumberland HospitalMembers of the Seaton Knit and Knat group made garments for premature babies at West Cumberland Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

In 1957, approval was given to break ground on a new hospital, which was the first district general hospital to be built in England following the creation of the NHS.
It was officially opened on October 21, 1964 by the Queen Mother.
On June 2, 2010, a major incident was declared at the hospital in the aftermath of the Cumbria shootings, when taxi driver Derrick Bird killed 12 people and injured 11 others before turning the gun on himself. Staff at the hospital dealt with casualties and patients in shock.
The first phase of the rebuilding programme was completed and brought into use in October 2015, at a cost of £90 million.