FAMILY doctors in North Yorkshire will carry on referring patients to hospital despite massive health cuts, according to a leading GPs' group.

North Yorkshire's Local Medical Committee (LMC), which represents GPs across the county, has written to the boss of North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) after it introduced a range of cost-cutting health measures.

They include the suspension of a wide range of procedures, such as treatment for bunions and ganglions, vasectomies, and IVF unless a woman is nearing 40.

Dr John Givans, North Yorkshire's LMC secretary, wrote to PCT chief executive Janet Soo-Chung saying doctors would continue to look after their patients' best interests despite the cuts.

His letter said: "Family doctors will continue to refer patients to hospital specialists whenever clinically necessary and will not allow artificial financial limits to endanger the health of their patients."

He said doctors would be prepared to help out by carrying out some aspects of patient care which were currently provided in hospitals, such as follow-ups and minor injuries.

But doctors expected the public to be fully consulted on any changes to patient care, he added.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire and York PCT said: "The PCT is continuing to have a dialogue with GPs and hospital trusts, both of whom are key partners in working with us to address the difficult situation faced by the local health community. We welcome their comments on an ongoing basis.

"At last week's board meeting, the PCT made clear that there is no outright ban on any procedure taking place if it is clinically necessary. The measures we have developed are not about denying treatment to people who need it urgently.

"As well as the operational changes made public last week, work is continuing on a detailed financial recovery plan aiming to return the PCT to a stable financial platform in the longer term.

"When this is ready in draft form, we will be actively seeking comments from all our stakeholders and well as patients and the public in North Yorkshire and York."