THEY could have been millions of pounds in the red, but Winchester health chiefs have received a lifeline.

The NHS trust that runs the city’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital now hopes to break even for this financial year.

Bosses set a target of saving £11m to put the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust on a firmer footing.

At its latest meeting, held at the hospital on Wednesday, January 26, they heard that the target would be missed.

While savings were being made, they were still spending around £500,000 too much each month, the meeting heard.

However, the Strategic Health Authority – which faces being wound up in Government NHS reforms – has ridden to the rescue.

It is offering to match the £5.5m of savings that Winchester health bosses are likely to make in the current financial year.

As a result, the £11m target is now likely to be reached, said the trust’s finance director, Simon Wombwell.

“This was a genuine late application for funds, and we were surprised to receive it,” he added.

Mr Wombwell said the £5.5m of local savings needed could be made so long as February and March were not busier than average.

The meeting heard that the hospital saw more patients than usual in December because of the wintry weather and flu.

As a result, it opened several ‘flexi beds’ not covered by usual funds to meet the demand, which are now being closed.

In his report, Mr Wombwell said: “The trust must retain tight controls on expenditure between now and the year end to deliver break even, with a particular focus on closing the unfunded beds currently open.”

If the trust balances its books for the current year, it will still have a £2m long-term debt to settle.

Its finances are one of the reasons behind its plans to merge with Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

It already has foundation status – which will soon be required of all trusts – which is not the case in Winchester.

The meeting also heard that £1.5m would be needed to refurbish Northbrook Ward, which treats poorly children.

It hopes to generate the cash through a fund-raising drive, and is currently interviewing people to lead the scheme.

Other major projects in the pipeline include transferring outpatient services into the Burrell Wing at the Romsey Road site.