HEALTH chiefs have apologised after a postal mix-up left some Great Ayton patients out of pocket.

Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust sent letters regarding changes to out-of-hours services to patients of Dr Davies and partners' practice, which operates from Great Ayton Health Centre, last month.

But some of the letters were not correctly franked at the trust's office in Thirsk, resulting in people receiving notification from the Post Office that they could collect their letter on payment of £1.20.

Anne Botterill, communications manager at the trust, said: "We are dreadfully sorry. The first we knew about it was when the practice contacted us, understandably very upset that patients had been put to trouble and expense to collect letters which should have been franked.

"This should not have happened, and we do not wish anyone to be out of pocket.

"We have arranged with the practice that patients who have had to pay the Post Office should go to reception at the Great Ayton surgery for reimbursement and we will sort it out from there."

She added: "We originally offered to help the practice with the mail-out as it is a huge undertaking for a small practice to get so many patient letters out over a couple of days."

The trust does not know the exact number of letters involved, but believes it to be less than 200.