A leading Cumbrian health chief has announced she is standing down.

Dame Jackie Daniel is chief executive of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT).

The trust has today announced that she has taken a "personal decision" to step down after more than five years in charge.

She will remain in post until the end of March.

UHMBT runs Furness General Hospital in Barrow and the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.

In a statement, Dame Jackie said: “After a privileged five and a half years leading the trust, I feel now is the right time.

"In terms of my personal future plans, I hope to continue to support the NHS and pursue a number of other interests."

Dame Jackie was appointed to turnaround the future of the failing trust following the high-profile deaths of mothers and babies at Furness General.

Since 2012, she has led it out of special measures to achieve an overall rating of 'good' from national watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

She recently received a damehood in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for services to healthcare.

She added: "This job has been the most challenging, but also the most rewarding of my career. The improvements we have made together in quality and patient safety are impressive, and the staff; governors and partners should feel very proud.

"I have been well supported over the years by the most talented and committed individuals and teams and I take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to you all.

"The work to date and the plans for the future will continue. I look forward to seeing a future CQC rating of ‘outstanding’ and an Accountable Care System in the Bay, which will provide a legacy of sustainable care for the next generation.

"We will now begin the process of the appointment of my successor and I will keep our staff and partners updated."