Care trusts 'to get council loan'

Cash-strapped primary care trusts (PCTs) in Cambridgeshire are to be offered a loan of up to £2.5m from the county council.

PCTs in the county are facing a total deficit of more than £22m. Cambridge City and South Cambs PCT alone has a shortfall of about £17m.

Cambs County Council is set to offer a loan to one or more of the local PCTs of "no more than £2.5m".

The report on the loan plan goes before the full council on Tuesday.

A report to the council's cabinet committee says local PCTs have approached the council asking for financial support.

In January, Cambridge City and South Cambs PCT announced plans to help save £3m by closing wards and cutting mental health services.

The plan recommended the closure of two patient rehabilitation units and a ward at Fulbourn Hospital, Cambs.