PATIENT care in East Lancashire could be seriously affected by a hospital trust's debt of £6.1million, a former health boss has said.

Ian Woolley spent 19 years as chairman of the former Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care Trust.

He retired last year when it merged with the Burnley Trust. And since then he says he has watched the debts mount.

He today revealed his fears that a failure to balance the books could ultimately cause major problems for health care to the detriment of patients.

And he slammed the area's three primary care trusts - which fund the hospital trust by buying services from it - who he said had not done enough to help reduce the deficit.

Mr Woolley said: "I am concerned about the financial situation of the new trust. It is a set requirement to balance the books and I can not believe this has been allowed to happen.

"This money will have to be paid, it cannot be written off. But they have not had enough help and support to be able to balance the books. I am not criticising the current board, but the Strategic Health Authority and Primary Care Trusts for doing nothing like enough to help.

"The only source of income is from the Primary Care Trusts and this is completely inadequate."

Mr Woolley also expressed concerns about the roll on effects and the possible effect on care.

He added: "I am not whistle-blowing but I don't think it has been realised just how serious this financial problem is.

"The PCTs have to become more realistic about the hospital services.

"I have been involved so long that my heart is in the NHS and the hospitals and I feel that someone speaking out might help in some way. There is a massive amount of excellent work in the hospitals and I want to see them continue and succeed."

Richard Gildert, acting chief executive for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said the debt was due to increased demands on the service and increased staffing costs and that the trust was working with the PCTs to address the problem.

He said: "Ian Woolley was an experienced and well-respected chairman and we appreciate his concerns for the financial position.

"The trust has introduced a number of measures to control spending while continuing to improve access and services to patients.

"Working relationships with our health partners - the three local Primary Care Trusts and the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority - have strengthened considerably during the year and we are working together to address the financial position and take the trust forward.

"The financial position has been difficult but I would like to thank all of our staff for their hard work and commitment in delivering a high quality of service."