The chief executive of north Cumbria's hospital trust has left the organisation. 

It was announced at the end of last week that Anne Farrar, chief executive of the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary, was stepping down.

Stephen Eames, a long-serving NHS chief executive, took over on Monday. 

The trust's medical director Jeremy Rushmer left in November.

Members of the We Need West Cumberland Hospital campaign group, who were angry at services being moved to Carlisle, had previously called for both to resign.

In December 2014, they handed over a 3,000-name petition declaring a vote of no confidence in Mrs Farrar and Dr Rushmer.

Both joined the trust from Northumbria in September 2012 and have now taken new posts in the North East.

The two hospitals are currently in special measures after being deemed to be failing by the Care Quality Commission.

Last year the Government launched a new Success Regime to tackle deep-rooted problems in the north Cumbrian NHS.

Mr Eames has 25 years’ experience as an NHS chief executive.

He was drafted in to Mid Yorkshire Hospitals three years ago to oversee major changes and improvements to services.

Prior to this he was boss of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, leading a hospital reconfiguration and bringing in community services.

He said: "Our attention over the coming weeks and months will be to work with the Success Regime to focus on addressing the ongoing, and longstanding, performance and financial issues alongside agreeing a long-term and sustainable clinical strategy fit for the future."

Mrs Farrar thanked staff for their hard work, support and commitment in driving up the quality of the care and services.

But she added: "There is still much to do and in light of the work that needs to take place as part of the Success Regime, I think it is the right time for me to move on.

"I have accepted a new role working with hospital trusts across Durham, Darlington and Teesside as part of their Better Health Services programme."