THE flu outbreak has plunged a hospital into a £1.4 million budget crisis.

Measures to cut spending at the Princess Royal

Hospital in Haywards Heath have had to be temporarily abandoned because of the need to help hundreds of extra patients with flu

complications.

One of the key money-saving measures agreed by health chiefs late last year was to stop the opening of extra beds because of the cost of hiring bank and agency nurses.

But the number of extra patients being treated has meant thousands of pounds are being spent to keep about 20 extra beds open.

Late last year the Mid Sussex NHS Trust said it feared its overspend would top £1 million.

But latest projections prepared for a board meeting today show the figure is likely to be at least

£1.4 million.

With no chance of clawing the deficit back before the end of the financial year in March, regional NHS bosses have told the Trust that it will have to cancel the deficit in next year's budget, putting extra pressure on services.

Although they are medical patients, the flu victims are being found beds wherever there is one spare, including surgical wards.

Medical services manager

Sherree Fagg said: "There is no way we can close beds. You just can't do it. You have to provide a

quality service for patients."

Hospital bank staff and agency staff are being used, and the Trust's nurses are working extra hours to cope. Mrs Fagg said: "At the moment we are having to pull all the stops out to keep things going.

"People have been marvellous, coming in to do extra shifts, and staying on to do extra hours."

The financial crisis facing the Trust is likely to reopen the debate about whether local hospitals should receive more funding.

The Trust has already had talks with West Sussex Health Authority and regional NHS chiefs but has not managed to secure any extra money.

Other measures to save money were due to be given to the board meeting in Haywards Heath today.

Last year chief executive Roger Greene issued a strong warning that continued improvements in

performance could not be sustained without more money.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.