The SHA has identified a package of measures to save �155m

The East of England SHA also predicts that nearly half the health providers in the region will end 2006/2007 in debt - to the tune of �131m.

The SHA singled out a number of Trusts including Norfolk Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) which had a �35m overspend.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital's forecast overspend of �23m was also highlighted.

A report to the SHA said that the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust reported an �11.5m year-end debt and is working to identify further savings to reduce the debt.

Radical review

This week the BBC revealed the SHA was starting a radical review of health services which could see many of the eastern region's district hospitals downgraded or even closed.

The SHA wants to look at centralising some clinical services in one "super" hospital rather than providing the care in several district hospitals.

It will also look at cutting the number of sites providing emergency care.

Dr Paul Watson, director of commissioning for the SHA, told the BBC he could not rule out the downgrading or even closure of any of the 19 hospitals in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.