The high cost of agency nurses and doctors has added to the debt

Plymouth health trusts forecast an end of year deficit of more than �6.5m and health services in Cornwall are more than �17m in the red.

A big increase in emergency admissions has placed huge pressure on hospitals like Derriford in Plymouth.

Another reason for the debt includes the high cost of agency nurses and locum doctors.

Dispersed community

Hospitals have also faced an increasing drugs bill and having to pay for operations in private hospitals in order to cut waiting lists.

Services in Cornwall are forecast to end the year more than �17m in the red, and Plymouth hospitals and primary care services �6.7m, while health services in North and East Devon are �3.5m overspent.

The south Devon health community has a surplus just short of �500,000.

Funds from the South West Peninsula Health Authority and other savings mean the total National Health Service debt in Devon and Cornwall is nearly �18m.

The cost of caring for a dispersed community in rural communities is another pressure on health service spending.