HEALTH chiefs have been accused of "penny pinching" after it was revealed light bulbs are being removed from hospital rooms and corridors to save cash.

Light levels are being tested and, if found to be higher than needed, light bulbs have been taken out, a hospital manager said today.

The move has come after a "significant" increase in energy costs which have piled further pressure onto the in-debt health authority which runs the region's hospitals.

Yet the cost-cutting measure was today attacked as "astounding" and "ridiculous" by critics who said bosses should be concentrating on bigger plans to overcome its multi-million pound debt.

Chris Simms, head of facilities at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are doing a check of light levels which might be above what standards state, where we are using light where we don't need to. We are looking at reducing that down to the appropriate level. This isn't always possible.

"Some light bulbs have been taken out. It is to reduce our energy costs, it is that straightforward."

Yet he insisted there was no intention to cut light to a point where staff found it difficult to do their job.

He said: "If we do something that has gone too far we will go back to see what we can do."

But Coun Tony Humphrys, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Council's health overview and scrutiny committee which monitors the work of the Trust, said: "This really is penny pinching and does not address the issue. Changing a light bulb isn't going to make much difference to the Trust's financial position. I am astounded."

Coun Maureen Martin, deputy chairman of the health equalities overview and scrutiny committee at Lancashire County Council, said: "It is ridiculous and silly. I know they have a great financial black hole but it doesn't seem to me that taking light bulbs out is going to really address that problem in a significant way."

The Trust has overspent every year since it was formed in 2003 and by the end of the last financial year was £4.5million in the red.

Although it announced a plan to save £7.5 million this financial year, managers have run up a £1.75million overspend in the first seven months.

A "campaign" to cut down on energy costs was launched in October and Mr Simms said this would also look at heating in Trust buildings.

Prices had risen but a higher level of electricity was being used to power more specialist equipment, he said. All the energy companies have raised their prices in the last six months due to global conditions.

Acting director of finance, Stephen Brookfield, this week told the Trust board: "Energy prices have increased significantly in the last 12 months. We must make sure we have tight controls over energy."

The board had previously been warned that an extra 21 per cent, or £500,000 would have to be forked out on energy this year compared to 2004/05.

The Trust's director of operations, John Dell, said a specific target for saving light had not been made.

Spokesman for union Unison, Tim Ellis, said: "We recognise the Trust is trying to save money but we would like consultation with the staff about the removal of lighting because there are some areas that might experience difficulties."

Judith Carter, steward for the Royal College of Nursing, said: "Obviously we have to save money wherever we can but patient safety must not be compromised."

John Amos, vice chairman of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum, a watchdog which oversees the Trust, said: "You do question why lighting was put in to produce higher levels of illumination than required in the first place.

"The Trust are being prudent in doing this. I do hope lighting levels are not just taken at one time of the day but in various times and conditions.

"A day when it is extremely cloudy is going to be different than a day of bright sunlight. I am sure staff would be up in arms if that was the case."