A REPORT says one of the most cash-strapped NHS trusts in the region is relying on potentially unpopular service changes to make the savings it needs.

In June, bosses at NHS North Yorkshire and York said they were facing a £19m overspend unless drastic steps were taken.

It does not include the £22m savings demanded by the Government this financial year.

Now regional NHS bosses have concluded the savings plan of NHS North Yorkshire and York is risky and may not achieve the necessary savings.

The Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority (SHA) said it remains unconvinced by the trust’s response to the Government’s efficiency drive in the NHS, known as the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme (Qipp), which aims to save £20bn by 2014-15 to be invested in frontline care.

One of NHS North Yorkshire and Yorks’ Qipp proposals being rated as risky is that its “estate will be rationalised”

to save £4.5m.

The plan includes reducing the number of hospital beds after improving the treatment of patients with long-term conditions, including dementia and urgent care.

The SHA said that because the plan depended on public consultation for acute service changes, it was uncertain whether the savings could be achieved.

The North Yorkshire and York trust said in June that major shake-up proposals, likely to require public consultation, were expected to be developed over 12 to 18 months.

Deputy chief executive Sue Metcalfe said: “We are constantly reviewing the use of estates to ensure they are necessary for the services we provide.”

NHS County Durham and Darlington was identified as one of a handful of PCTs whose Qipp efficiency plans amounted to the lowest proportions of their overall planned savings by 2015.

A spokeswoman said: “NHS County Durham and Darlington has delivered very strong financial management for a number of years and is again on track to deliver a balanced financial position this year.”