A HEALTH boss has warned that the NHS in Morecambe Bay is under such severe financial pressure that cuts to patient services cannot be ruled out, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

The health service could be battling against a £ 10 million annual deficit between what it needs to spend and the cash funding available, plus a one-off bill of £8 million, largely made up of repayments on past loans.

The chief executive of Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust, David Jordison, said he hoped the NHS would write-off the £8 million debt but this could not be guaranteed.

Without such help he warned that the PCT would be forced to take action.