Shropshire's three main hospitals are to get a helping hand from a neighbouring hospital as they try to clear millions of pounds of debt.The University Hospital of North Staffordshire is to loan about �500,000 to the cash-strapped hospitals in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Telford.
Each health organisation within the Staffordshire and Shropshire Strategic Health Authority area had been asked for funds to aid the struggling hospitals' as they start to recover the overspend.
The Staffordshire hospital, in Hartshill, has handed over money which was not due to be spent until 2004.
The Shropshire hospitals will have to repay the sum by then.
A spokesman for the strategic health authority said: "The money is not from the (Staffordshire) hospital's budget.
"We have identified some capital money which was for next year which has been converted into revenue money.
"Patient services will not be hurt in the slightest. All the money will be handed back by next year.
"The three Shropshire hospitals have had difficulties in the past, but now they have financial recovery plans in place this will help them get back into balance."
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