THE PCT has said it is implementing its prior approval system for an initial three months.
Bosses have admitted the system will put a constraint on clinical practice - but said the PCT's severe financial situation made it "unavoidable".
The trust is heading for a £45million debt this year. But it hopes its package of money-saving measures, including the prior approval system, will save £10million.
Under the system, doctors who want to refer patients for a treatment that is currently being restricted must fill out a form and send it to the PCT's exceptions panel.
Under previous systems, a GP would have sent a referral straight to hospital.
The PCT Exceptions Panel for Prior Approval decides whether a patient's case is serious enough to warrant referral to hospital.
Sitting on the panel at any one time are two out of four GPs who work for the PCT.
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