WYRE Forest Primary Care Trust needs to save £800,000 to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the financial year.

The trust identified a financial deficit for the year of £2.1million in April and an anticipated in-year overspend of £1.2million was expected at the end of October.

The reported deficit at the end of October of £600,000 was an improvement on the forecast.

The PCT has reviewed all budget areas and produced a forecast overspend of £800,000, showing an improvement of £1.3m.

Board chairman, David Priestnall, speaking during the PCT board meeting on Tuesday last week, said: "There is very clear evidence of managing of the budget. We are continuing to drive it down and if we can get rid of the last £800,000 we are home and dry."

Eamon Kelly, PCT acting chief executive, said: "For the last two months, the financial position of the PCT has remained unchanged. We are now forecasting an in-year deficit of £800,000 and exploring ways to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the financial year.

"One additional saving suggested is to try and reduce wastage in the costs of repeat prescribing. No final decision has been reached about this though and the subject will be raised this week at executive committee meetings.

"The PCT has now stabilised its financial position and is taking a pro-active stance to gain better control of its finances and is exploring as many avenues as possible to save costs."