“The previous RSP exit criteria no longer apply to both organisations having demonstrated sufficient progress against all exit criteria for leadership, urgent and emergency care and elective performance,” they said.

“NHS Devon will continue to receive support for finance and strategy, and we will be agreeing a medium-term financial plan, and health and care strategy by the end of September to set us on a strong footing going forward.”

RDUHCT runs North Devon District Hospital and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The NHS said University Hospitals Plymouth and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trusts remained on the RSP, external and would be “supported regionally and nationally to achieve sufficient progress to exit”, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).