A north Cumbrian hospital chief has described it as a "great privilege" to be named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Stephen Eames has today been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his contribution to the NHS.

Mr Eames has spent 47 years working in the health service, including three years in Cumbria.

He started as chief executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, in 2016.

He then extended his role to become joint chief executive of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs community and mental health services, and later also became leader of the North Cumbria Integrated Care System.

Most recently he took on an additional role as independent chairman of a Humberside health body - a role he will now fulfil one day a week, on top of his Cumbrian commitments.

During his time in north Cumbria, Mr Eames has led the hospitals out of special measures and oversaw improvements.

However he was also among who led the controversial Success Regime public consultation into plans to close community hospital beds, reduce beds in the acute hospitals and centralise maternity, paediatrics and stroke services.

Nationally, north Cumbria's NHS is now among those leading efforts to join up health and care services.

Speaking about the CBE, Mr Eames said: “It is a great privilege to have this honour bestowed upon me.

"My passion and drive since joining the NHS 47 years ago has always been to ensure that we are doing the right thing for our patients and that is still what drives and motivates me today.

“I have worked in some of the most challenging areas to deliver healthcare but, without exception, the staff I have worked with have never failed to show true commitment and dedication.

"I have also never underestimated how much our communities care about their local services.

"I know there is still work to be done and that the journey to truly join up health and care services is a long one but we are making steps in the right direction.”

Mr Eames started out as a trainee administrator in the NHS, working his way up to the most senior roles.

He now has over 30 years’ experience as a chief executive.

He was recently awarded an Honorary Professorship by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

His newest role is with Humber Coast and Vale (HCV) Health and Care Partnership.