Health minister Philip Dunne has said he was "saddened" by the deaths of two Cumbrian hospital patients following a high-profile inquest.

Michael Parke died at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven on December 6, 2012, and Amanda Coulthard died at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary on April 26, 2015.

Both were a result of aspiration pneumonia - after nasogastric tubes were wrongly inserted into their lungs, and feeding commenced.

Cumbrian coroner David Roberts found that there was neglect on behalf of nurses and management staff at the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospitals.

It was also highlighted that these were not the first such incidents at the trust, with the first taking place in 2008.

Following the inquest, he wrote to local and national NHS bosses, asking for assurances that lessons have been learnt.

In his response, on behalf of the Department of Health, Mr Dunne asked the coroner to pass on his condolences to the families.

He went on to reassure Mr Roberts that the matter had been taken very seriously, explaining the action taken in detail.

NHS England and the North Cumbrian trust have also issued their own responses to the coroner, published this week.

Sir Bruce Keogh, national medical director, said: "I was very sorry to hear of the circumstances around both deaths, and would like to express my deep condolences to both families."

He went on to explain that action has been taken, including enhanced policies and staff training.