HEAVY pressure on the budget could put Herefordshire Primary Care Trust £1 million in the red by the end of this financial year.

Half of it is caused by the extra drugs prescribed by GPS and much of the rest by the high costs of caring for specific patients.

The Trust's chief executive, Paul Bates said the over- spend should be kept in perspective. It was one per cent of the Trust's £100 million budget and would be worked out over the next two years.

Mr Bates was full of praise for Herefordshire GP drug prescribing. In a league table for the West Midlands they had been judged the most efficient and best quality prescribers.

This year the Trust had inflated the drugs budget by six per cent, but the costs had been higher than that.

Mr Bates said doctors were following advice of giving STATINS to patients with coronary heart disease.

"Doctors are looking after their patients in best practice. Patients are getting better care but it is costing,'' said Mr Bates.

Another high cost had come from the continuing care of patients needing special placements.

The trust had to deal with more than usual this year and it had 'blown' the budget for continuing care.

Sometimes patients needed NHS care for a lifetime. For a brain injured patient the cost of care could be £150,000 in one year and for others with extreme mental health needs it was very high.

"But these people have to be cared for and it is money that has to be spent on them,'' said Mr Bates.

The Trust's financial position will be discussed at a board meeting this week.