CALDERSTONES NHS Trust could face some financial difficulties early next year if planned ward closures are put on hold.

Director of finance Mr Bernard Flynn, speaking at a meeting of the trust board, explained that the trust was enjoying a favourable financial position at the moment with a surplus of £201,000 after just five months of the financial year.

But he added that a number of potential problems could have significant financial impact if not closely managed - among them added costs if ward closures had to be deferred.

He pointed out that a contingency plan would be developed to release savings from wards that had already closed to back up other wards until they too could be closed as part of the project to put patients back into the community.

At the moment the re-settlement of clients is well in line with the target of 150 for the year but there is some uncertainty as to whether the plan will be completed on schedule.

If not, nursing services costs will exceed estimates.

The board also heard that the good finances being enjoyed at the moment could give Calderstones a chance to gain a competitive advantage by investing early in schemes such as day services and early staff recruitment to other new caring schemes.

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