UP to 200 beds are set to be slashed from East Lancashire's hospitals in the next 12 months under a major cash saving drive by NHS chiefs.

Bosses today insisted the move, affecting as many as 15 per cent of the Trust's 1,248 beds, would improve rather than damage patient care.

But critics blasted the cuts and raised fears that patients would be sent home from hospital early once fewer beds were available.

Beds at Blackburn Infirmary, Queen's Park, Blackburn, as well as Burnley General and Pendle Community Hospital could be axed under the changes.

At present there are 610 beds in Blackburn and 638 in Burnley and Pendle.

Director of operations at East Lancs NHS Trust Dena Marshall said she expected "significant" bed reductions "across the board" which could run as high as 200.

She said: "This is a key part of our financial recovery plan. However, it is not about reducing the level of service and treating fewer patients, it is about changing the way we provide our services and being more slick in the way our systems and processes operate.

"We will continue to offer the same level of service to patients. In fact, we believe we will improve our services to patients."

Beds were the "most expensive resource in the hospitals" she said and the Trust was not discharging patients fast enough compared to other authorities.

She said fewer beds would mean quicker treatment and patients not having to wait as long.

Many patients could be cared for after being discharged into the community - which the Trust does not pay for - she said.

Although fewer nurses would be needed on wards with less beds, the Trust's high use of temporary agency staff made job losses unlikely, Ms Marshall added.

But Tim Ellis of Unison said: "Health staff will be very concerned at this proposal which yet again seems to threaten the provision of health care in East Lancashire.

"The Trust should be investing in services rather than reducing them."

And Bob Simpson, a member of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum watchdog added: "I have concerns that people are not pushed out early just to make beds available.

"But if proper care packages are put together for when people leave hospital then that would make better sense to have fewer beds."

The Trust has overspent by more than £10 million since it was formed in 2003 and has pledged to spend £27 million less between 2005 and 2008.

Last year it came 15th out of the 30 hospital trusts which overspent the most during the last financial year. There are 176 hospital trusts in England.

Financial consultants Ernst & Young were brought in to look at ways of saving the Trust cash.

Today Brian Gordon, vice chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Council's health scrutiny committee, said: "I can't see how that is not going to impact on patient services. I am very sceptical."

Ribble Valley councillor Chris Holtom said: "I recognise there are financial difficulties but I would want assurances if they are cutting beds we will have enough beds.

"I don't know how they are going to do that if they are going to cut 200 beds."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "Until we can be properly re-assured that nobody is going to be turfed out of hospital early simply to create a bed space for somebody else then I am opposed to it."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I am entirely confident the Trust is going about this in a way that won't impact adversely on the healthcare provision for people in my constituency."