Staff are to be congratulated in helping the trust reduce debts

The whole of the NHS in Cornwall is facing a �31m deficit, which is being blamed on the shake-up of the way health care is delivered.

However, the Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust is also warning that at times its services are being overstretched.

At a public board meeting to be held on Tuesday, managers of the trust, which cares for people with mental health problems, will congratulate staff for their role in the trust's recovery plan.

Developments monitored

The �31m debts were passed on to the county's new health trusts when they took over from the old health authority.

The trusts are now attempting to find the money while trying to maintain services.

As well as tackling a funding crisis, the trusts have to modernise the services they provide.

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust says its shake-up has been achieved without employing more staff and, in some cases, with reduced staff numbers.

But it claims that although savings are being made, it is at times overstretched.

At the Tuesday meeting, managers will say that the modernisation and recovery plans have put increased pressure on staff and in the future could affect morale.

They are expected to recommend that the impact of the developments on services are closely monitored.