DOCTORS in the Vale fear for the future of the Evesham and Pershore community hospitals following the announcement of a huge NHS budget deficit.

The Worcestershire Community and Mental Health Trust revealed a deficit of nearly £300,000 by the end of last November.

Trust leaders have said the budget must break even by the end of March before the new South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust takes over. With such a huge amount of money to be saved by the end of March, breast screening, mental health services and physiotherapy look first to be cut. Mental health services are already affected, with only very serious cases given priority.

Doctors at the Abbottswood Medical Centre, in Pershore, are furious and are calling on the Trust and MPs to fight for more cash.

Dr Glenn Ralphs said: "It is time to say no; time for the management of the Community and Mental Health Trust to show courage and determination to act on behalf of the patients of Worcestershire.

"They should say they are unable to save £297,000 by the end of the financial year. They should say that the clinical demands for patients - who access the already sub-standard mental health services and the unacceptable waits for physiotherapy and breast screening - cannot be cut back.

"They should also categorically state that they are not prepared to consider short-term fixes, such as closing or mothballing any of our community hospitals.

"Members should veto any emergency action plan and call the Government's bluff.

"For months, the Government has been telling us that they are putting more money into health care. Let them sort out this mess rather than let our patients suffer."

Member of the Evesham Community Hospital Trust, Dr Neil Townshend, said: "The current provision of care cannot tolerate any significant cutbacks."

"Equally, the new primary care trust must not be burdened by deficits from previous administrations."

Vale MP Peter Luff said: "I have already tabled a question in the House of Commons for urgent clarification of the situation.

"The deficit is very serious, as the Trust has only two months to make it up, which could involve the closing of wards or total closure of one of the hospitals, which is absolutely unacceptable."

Pershore's MP, Michael Spicer, is also calling for reassurances that Pershore Community Hospital will not be affected.

The chief executive of the Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, Sue Hunt, announced that an action plan was being drawn up to recoup the deficit.

But, she said Board members felt a reduction of services was neither desirable nor acceptable.

Further discussions were taking place this week to try to resolve the situation.

She said: "An overspend in this financial year would have to be paid back next year, making a potentially serious situation even more difficult."