THE Western Trust is projecting a year end deficit of £12.859 million for 2016/17.

Currently reporting a deficit of £6.963 million as at September 30, one of the Trust’s key issues is the continued financial pressure in unscheduled care.

In the latest Financial Report to the Western Trust Board, Acute Services has recorded an overspend of £2.224 million.

Medical overspends are mainly due to a reliance on medical agency cover as a result of vacancies or rota cover in South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).

There are also overspends at junior doctor level within general medicine to cover gaps or vacancies and sustain rotas.

Primary Care and Older People Services is also reporting an overspend of £1.403 million, mainly because of the use of premium rate medical agency staff.

And a continued growth in demand relating to Looked After Children is part of the reason why Women and Children’s Services are reporting an overspend of £2.061 million.

Adult Mental Health and Disability Services however is reporting an underspend of £0.21 million.

The underspend here, due to vacant posts across the division is offset by an overspend within the Crisis Service mainly due to additional staff costs to cover complex clients and use of bank staff to cover high levels of sickness.