A SHORTAGE of surgeons and a lack of investment is putting lives at risk, according to a hard-hitting report into NHS services in the region.

Patients who suffer from life-threatening vascular failure need to be seen by a specialist surgeon as soon as possible.

But 24-hour vascular surgery services on Teesside do not come up to scratch, according to a report by an independent consultant.

The report calls for the concentration of vascular surgery at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and a substantial cash injection.

Currently, the service is split between James Cook University Hospital, the University Hospital of North Tees at Stockton and the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

In a report, Professor Richard Wood, a vascular surgeon from Sheffield, states: "The current informal arrangements for surgical and radiological cover do not provide a guarantee that patients can receive prompt specialist care for vascular emergencies. In view of the extreme urgency of many acute vascular problems, patients will die if they are unable to access appropriate treatment."

In his report to the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust today, Professor Ian Haslock, medical director of the trust, states; "The 'do nothing' option does not exist. It remains the responsibility of our major commissioner, Tees Health, to produce the appropriate finance. Until the reorganisation recommended by Professor Wood is funded and achieved this service cannot be considered as providing optimal modern clinical care."

Last night, Prof Haslock said the changes had been accepted in principle and a working party was considering how to put the recommendations into force.

Consultant posts were being advertised and a cash injection had already taken place.

"It is a clinically good service, but it could be better," said Prof Haslock.

A spokewoman for Tees Health Authority said an extra £200,000 had been invested