A LEADING county councillor has moved to alleviate fears that health care services could suffer under proposed changes, but admitted the council could not cover the cost.
Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for social services, health and wellbeing, spoke after concerns expressed at public meetings over changes planned by South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.
The PCT has announced proposals to cut a wide range of services including district nursing, health visiting and physiotherapy. It had suggested the services could be reinstated if money was provided from the county council social services budget.
Ms Eyre said the money, between £500,000 and £1 million, was not available, but assured the public the county council and PCT were working in partnership to cover the costs of services.
She said she understood community concern, adding: "The county council has done some really strong work in identifying the effects of these cuts and the risks involved."
The PCT has proposed the cuts because of a £5.7 million deficit in its funds, passed on after national healthcare restructuring in April of last year.
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