A HEALTH trust will be up to £6m in the red by the end of this financial year, its chief executive has said.

Michael Whitworth, chief executive of Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT), said the organisation faces a financial deficit of between £5m and £6m by the end of April next year.

He has now appealed for people in the area to use health services more responsibly.

"We know that every year locally, £2m worth of drugs are requested, often on repeat prescription, but never taken," he said.

"We know that too many local children playing in unsafe environments, or with inadequate parental supervision, fall, break bones, and need to be hospital- ised.

"We know that too many of the local elderly population have slips and falls and end up needing complex surgery, enduring long and painful recoveries.

"With a harsh winter forecast I am asking local people to particularly look out for vulnerable neighbours and friends.

"When you need to see your GP, wherever possible do so in working hours.

"For coughs, colds and sniffles use your local community pharmacist as a source of expert advice."

It will be the first time the trust has not delivered a balanced year-end financial position since it was created in 2002-2003.

Dr Phil Garnett, local GP and professional executive committee chair, said: "This year's financial challenges are greater than any we have experienced in the past.

"It's a question of rolling our sleeves up, in GP surgeries, community hospitals and the District General Hospital, and making the system work better for patients."