A senior NHS figure - in charge of mental health services for East Lancashire - has announced she will retire next year.

Caroline Donovan, who has been chief executive of Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation NHS Trust (LSCFT) for three years, will stand down in early 2023.

Her deputy, Chris Oliver, will take over the role on an interim basis until a new permanent replacement can be appointed. She will take up a national mental health advisory role with NHS England.

The announcement comes as NHS trusts are being asked to make a further five per cent 'efficiency' savings on top of other cuts.

LSCFT was this week nominated for six Health Service Journal awards and was rated as 'good' in its last Care Quality Commission inspection.

Caroline said: "With the imminent appointment of a new Chair, and after considerable thought and reflection, I have decided to announce my retirement plans.

"This will enable the incoming chair to appoint a new CEO. The incoming chair and the new CEO can, together, shape the next stage of LSCFT’s journey."

The trust says her tenure has seen a significant improvement in mental health waiting times within A&E departments, from just 35 per cent being seen within an hour in 2019 to 95 per cent currently. The trust also took on South Cumbria services.

David Eva, trust chairman, added: "I’d like to pay tribute to Caroline for her unstinting commitment to our service users, carers and staff and thank her for everything she has done for the trust."

He described her as "a passionate advocate for people with mental health, learning disability and autism needs."