Inspectors who branded north Cumbria's hospitals as failing have returned to see if improvements have been made.

It is more than three years since Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary and Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital were plunged into special measures by the Care Quality Commission.

Now the watchdog has returned to see how well services are being run, with inspections taking place on both sites on Thursday and Friday last week.

A spokeswoman said it was an unannounced inspection looking at surgery and children's and young people's services.

The report is due out in November and has the potential to see the trust's overall rating improve.

Hospital bosses, who had been expecting a visit in the autumn, hope that the CQC will decide enough has been done to get North Cumbria University Hospitals out of special measures.

A spokeswoman said: “As part of the Care Quality Commission’s annual schedule of inspections, the trust receive a number of targeted visits.

"The CQC has been at both the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital to look specifically at children and young people’s services and surgery."

It comes as controversial options for the future of healthcare in north Cumbria are being finalised by the Government-appointed Success Regime. This could see more services move from Whitehaven to Carlisle as bosses argue they cannot safely staff some of the existing units - one of the key areas flagged up by the CQC previously.

But there have been high-profile concerns about the safety of women and babies, with several doctors and midwives urging leaders to find a way to retain consultant-led maternity in the west.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed has now threatened to withdraw his support for the review. He said: “I will not endorse the Success Regime if it recommends the removal of 24-hour consultant led services, including maternity. Here in west Cumbria, a nuclear host community, local people have performed an integral role in the service of this nation for more than 60 years. As a result, the Government owes a specific obligation to my community."

He has now written to Success Regime boss Sir Neil McKay to stress the importance of these services ahead of it publishing firm recommendations later this month.

Mr Reed has also organised a public meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 7pm in the United Reformed Church, where local people can put questions direct to bosses.