Health managers in the East Riding today claimed to have made savings of more than £9m since last June.

East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) launched its "turnaround strategy" last summer.

It was introduced as the trust faced the prospect of building up a £20.7m deficit by March, having ended 2005/06 with an £11.5m shortfall.

Today, interim chief executive Claire Wood said the trust had made significant strides in reducing costs across the trust, leading to a £9.2m saving.

She said: "Our turnaround schemes are moving forward and we have made very significant progress in stabilising and improving the financial situation facing our PCT.

"This is due to the hard work and commitment of all our staff and local partners and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed.

"In particular, the work being carried out every day to avoid unnecessary admissions, and to discharge patients back into the community, is adding to our financial recovery."

As the trust looks to continue its savings, managers have written to doctors requesting support in further plans to reduce hospital activity and costs.

Areas highlighted include reducing the number of non-urgent hospital follow-up appointments for patients.

The trust, which runs all four of the region's community hospitals, in Driffield, Beverley, Withernsea and Hornsea, is currently carrying out a public consultation on the future of hospital beds.

Proposals have suggested removing the beds from the four community hospitals in the region into private care homes.

The plans have sparked outrage among patients, who have been campaigning for beds to remain.

June Barton, of Hornsea Cottage Hospital League of Friends Campaign Committee, organised a meeting this weekend, where members of the public were briefed about the consultation period.

She said: "I suppose these figures are good news for the trust, they are broadly on target. It still doesn't change the fact that cuts are proposed for our services.

"This is part and parcel of what we're fighting. A lot of people are going to suffer.

"The NHS is supposed to be about helping people, not just about saving money."

HOW SPENDING WAS REDUCED

22 January 2007

Complete review of follow up appointments to reduce hospital visits deemed unnecessary - £1.2m saving.

A reduction in referrals to acute hospitals - each referral cost £1,800.

Ensuring people are discharged earlier from hospital - saving of £207 per day per patient (more than £5m a year).

A reduction in the amount spent on drugs and encouraging patients to get the best safe use out of their medicines.

Mick Pilling (writes) Chairman Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group

Well there you have it.....the NHS is all about saving vast amounts of money.....not care in the community; extenting services at existing hospitals such as: Withernsea, Hornsea, Beverley & Driffield...as long as they cut services they will always save money that's not rocket science and does not deserve a pat on the back!! What about the patients; who will be kicked out of hospital early to save money or the closing of hospital beds at the above named hospitals; not getting the medication they require or not getting the referrals they need from the Doctors; we have lost or had cuts to many services, Minor Injuries Units reduced hours; Maternity Services closed or threats; bed reductions; Nurses jobs gone or Nurses and staff left for other secure jobs.

Firstly; East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) get your act together and build on the exsiting hospitals.....don't close services; look after the communities.......then get a pat on the head!  I would like to ask Interim Chief Executive Claire Wood; HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHTS???

Mick Pilling "Fighting for a fairer NHS for ALL"