STAFF levels at Bury's hospitals are at crisis point and it will take £2 million to bring numbers up to scratch.

Bosses say they've no choice but to plunge into the red to avoid a drastic deterioration in vital services.

There is a desperate need for consultants in psychiatry, orthopaedics, anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology.

Workers are also wanted in intensive care, where staffing figures are below national recommendations. Each consultant costs around £50,000 and needs a network of support staff.

While Mr Phillip Bacon, chief executive of the Bury Health Care NHS Trust, says they will balance the books next April he believes the following year will be an impossible struggle.

He said: "We need these staff to relieve the pressure on current employees, cut waiting lists and maintain the quality of care. As well as balancing books we need to improve and develop services - £2 million represents the figure for developments that we just can't do without.

"These appointments will have to be made, the money will have to be spent and so we are going to face serious problems next year as a result."

The Trust already faces a battle to keep out of the red this year. According to Mr Bacon: "It's extremely tight. For the first time we have no reserves. If a piece of expensive equipment breaks down it could throw the budget. A flu outbreak would not only mean a demand on beds but having to employ expensive agency nursing staff to cover for those ill. This, too, could affect our balance.

"We have enough money for maintaining the hospitals at the present level this year but not for extras. Next year we will not have enough money to keep services at the quality we want without overspending," said Mr Bacon.

The Trust would usually look to Bury and Rochdale Health Authority for extra cash. But last month they revealed that they were reeling towards a £3 million overspend.

"We will be negotiating with the Authority for more money but the news of their financial position makes it more difficult," said Mr Bacon.

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