HEALTH bosses are being asked to consult with the public over their cost-cutting measures to claw back huge debts.

Members of the City of York Council's health scrutiny committee told chiefs from North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) at a meeting this week they should ask the public and other organisations for their views on a series of moves to save cash.

As revealed in The Press yesterday, the meeting heard the true level of the PCT's financial crisis. It is currently predicting ending the year with a debt of £45 million.

That could be reduced to £29 million if cost-cutting measures are effective, but it could rise to as much as £63 million if they are not. The Press reported last month how the PCT was introducing a series of measures to save money in the last quarter of the year - in a frantic attempt reduce its financial black hole.

They include suspending procedures such as MRI back scans and IVF treatment - unless a woman is nearing the age of 40.

Meeting chairman Coun Ian Cuthbertson said after the meeting: "There is a real need for public involvement in such decisions and we believe that wider consultation is even more important where controversial changes are being put forward."

PCT finance boss Nick Steele told the meeting a five-year financial plan was being worked on. "We do need urgent action now," he told the meeting.

"The approach we've taken over the last few months is to be quite open and up front with GPs and provider colleagues."