Health trust may miss debt target

The North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has warned that it is unlikely to meet a target to pay off its £19m debt by next year.

The trust board was told on Tuesday it could still be £8m in the red by the end of the 2008/09 financial year.

Chief executive Janet So Chung said the PCT would pay off as much debt as possible without affecting services.

"What we will have to do next year is install a catch-up programme to ensure that we do meet targets," she added.

'Savings delivered'

The trust said the main areas of overspending were within contracts with its main providers.

"We are working with these organisations to bring these contracts into line where possible," a spokesman said.

"Although the PCT is forecasting an overspend, it should be noted that the organisation has delivered savings this year of £20m.

"This is a significant achievement and can be attributed to the hard work of all PCT staff and our partners across the health and social care community."