INSPECTORS are planning to return to the troubled Carlisle and Whitehaven hospitals in the autumn, it has been revealed.

Bosses are hopeful that, more than three years after the hospitals were put into special measures following a damning report into widespread failings, these could finally be lifted.

And they say work to tackle safety concerns, following a worrying number of “never events”, is having an impact.

Watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) first put North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust in special measures in 2013 following a poor inspection.

A follow-up visit found that although improvements had been made, there was still considerable work to be done.

But the trust board reported yesterday that recent conversations with the CQC have been positive. Chief executive Stephen Eames said: “They are doing a follow up inspection at some stage in the autumn. We would be aiming to move the trust out of its special measures status.”

Non-executive director Laura Robson added: “If we get out of special measures that would be amazing.”

The board also received a presentation from Nick McDonaugh, deputy business unit director for surgery, about what has been done to tackle never events – wholly preventable incidents that can cause serious harm. It was revealed in April that there had been six such incidents recorded since July 2015, five in theatres.

He said there had since been a major review, with new training, systems and a change in reporting culture. Visits have also been carried out by NHS Improvement and the Royal College of Surgeons.

It was confirmed there have been no further never events since, with one near miss picked up by theatre staff.