ANYONE who has found themselves short of funds knows the health trust's predicament. The bank writes to tell you that you are in debt - and promptly adds to the burden by debiting your account by a hefty sum.

This is deeply frustrating. But we must accept it. After all, this is how banks make money, and they are private institutions in the business of making a profit.

When something similar happens in the health service it makes far less sense. However much the Government may deny it, the £1.3 million it is levying on the Selby and York Primary Care Trust is nothing other than a fine, imposed for financial mismanagement.

There is no avoiding the problem. The trust is close to £24 million in debt. As a result, operations have been delayed and outpatients' appointments cancelled. York Hospital's work to cut waiting lists - in line with Government demands - is undermined.

The PCT accepts some of the blame for this situation. Both the finance director and the chief executive have left and the acting boss says key sectors of the trust have not been performing to strength. As a result an emergency turnaround team has been despatched to sort things out.

But the trust is not on its own in facing economic hardship. According to the Tories, the NHS in England is heading for a deficit of £752 million at the end of the financial year.

It is madness for the Government to tackle this debt by adding to it. That £1.3 million fine is effectively public money being moved from where it could do most good - on the frontline of local health services - to the Treasury, where it will disappear forever.

Updated: 10:47 Monday, February 13, 2006