The budget overspend is putting hundreds of jobs under threat

The county's four primary care trusts (PCTs) have drawn up a plan for redesigning healthcare services.

But serious concerns about proposed cuts have been expressed by the county council's health committee.

Penwith District Council has also said it will consider legal action against the NHS for not consulting over the possible withdrawal of services.

Cornwall County Council said it would be looking to the new leader of the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to allay fears about job cuts and mounting NHS debt.

It has already warned the SHA it will ask the Healthcare Commission to carry out an investigation if it is not satisfied with the progress being made

Earlier this month two board members at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust resigned after two teams of financial experts said the trust's handling of funding was incompetent.

In March, it was announced 300 jobs would go at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust to try to stem the overspend.