A west Cumbrian hospital ward has reopened, four months after it was closed because of safety concerns.

Ellerbeck ward at Workington Community Hospital opened its door to patients today for the first time since December.

It was closed after a specialist report flagged up problems with the building that meant it did not fully meet current fire safety requirements.

It also showed that design and construction issues meant it would be difficult to promptly evacuate all patients from the first-floor ward in the event of an emergency.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service agreed that Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust should not admit any more patients until the issues were resolved.

Since then the trust has worked to resolve the construction issues and has put in place measures to ensure the ward can be promptly evacuated.

Temporary ward facilities were opened on a vacant ward at Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital, then later at Maryport and Cockermouth, while the work was done.

Joanna Forster Adams, the trust's director of operations, said: “We are now confident that all issues relating to the fire safety of Ellerbeck have been addressed and we have reopened the ward to admissions.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience while we have worked to fix the issues and also to our staff who have showed continued professionalism and team work throughout this process.

"The staff have worked as part of other teams ensuring that patients from the Workington area have been cared for in alternative community hospitals in the meantime, enabling them to form valuable new relationships with other colleagues as part of this process.

“We would also like to extend our thanks to the partners who worked with us to rectify the issues, particularly Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.”

During the closure, the trust has begun to redecorate the ward, put in a new wet room and store room and improved visitor hand washing facilities.

A spokesman said that work would be completed over the next few weeks and will not cause any disruption to patients.

Elllerbeck ward has 14 beds and provides GP and nurse-led medical, nursing, rehabilitation and end of life care.