Mental health faces £5m deficit

A multi-million pound shortfall in funding could lead to job cuts in Norfolk's mental health services.

The Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership (NWMHP) has revealed an estimated £5.2m shortfall in its budget for 2006 to 2007.

A report to the NWMHP says staffing costs make up 80% of the trust's expenditure but managers say redundancies will be a last resort.

The trust said on Monday it was looking at a number of savings options.

One is to reduce the number of people being cared for out of the NWMHP area.

The trust is set to make a final decision on the plans next week.

Chief executive Pat Holman praised trust staff for helping make savings of £900,000.