Campaigners say they have been "failed" by a decision not to re-run a key health vote to halt cuts to services and beds.

It comes after Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee backtracked on its initial decision to refer plans to downgrade paediatrics and close community hospital beds to the Secretary of State.

Four members left the meeting prior to the final vote, with some later saying they didn't understand the process. Only plans for maternity were referred at the meeting, widely branded a "shambles".

Afterwards Cumbria County Council launched an investigation, with campaigners insisting the result should not stand. The News & Star also revealed the final decision would usually have been taken on another day, but was rushed through ahead of the upcoming elections.

But chief executive Katherine Fairclough has now confirmed that the review, carried out by the council’s senior legal officer, is complete - and there will be no re-run. "The review has now concluded and I am satisfied procedures were followed and members properly informed . On this basis there appear no grounds on which to re-run the meeting," she said.

Three of the councillors who left the meeting on March 22 later said either did not know a second vote was being taken that day or did not believe they could vote in it.

But the investigation concluded that the process was explained to members on several occasions, both before and during.

It said procedures were set out in the public papers available five days prior; included in a separate briefing note to members; discussed at the pre-meeting that morning; and explained by the chairman at the start of the meeting and at the adjournment, prior the final voting.

Annette Robson, of the We Need West Cumberland Hospital group, said it was not good enough. "Cumbria County Council has failed the people they are elected to represent by refusing to re-run what was clearly a chaotic and badly managed day.

"When will someone in authority be brave enough to stand up and say that the decisions that are being made about our health care in Cumbria are not right and not acceptable?" she asked.

Alice Bondi, who is fighting to save beds in Alston, added: "I find it extraordinary that the chief executive doesn't accept that there is a problem. However frequently councillors 'should' have picked up the process, the fact is that they didn't. This is going to affect Cumbria for decades, and for decisions to be made through misunderstanding just isn't okay.

"How can we trust councillors to look after our best interests after this disastrously damaging episode?"

Carlisle health campaigner, Brent Kennedy, added: "The procedure itself was wrong. They should never have squashed three meeting into one day to rush it through before elections. It could have waited. There will be consequences for generations."