MENTAL health patients in the East End could see major cuts in their NHS care, according to health campaigners. Bosses at the East London Foundation Trust are planning to make �9m of cuts which will see the number of front-line nursing staff slashed at

MENTAL health patients in the East End could see major cuts in their NHS care, according to health campaigners.

Bosses at the East London Foundation Trust are planning to make �9m of cuts which will see the number of front-line nursing staff slashed at Mile End Hospital in Bancroft Road, the London Health Emergency (LHE) claimed this week.

Campaigners say they have seen a report which proposes a range of cuts to help the mental health trust make up to �20m of savings over the next three years, which before now has remained under-wraps.

Cuts also include changing staff rotas, slashing �500,000 from the medical budget, �500,000 from therapy budgets, and another �1.5m from corporate services.

LHE's Information Director Dr John Lister is calling on the trust to withdraw its plans.

He said: "The consequences could be as serious as a major collapse in front line services."

But a spokeswoman for the East London Foundation Trust insisted the trust was working with its members and trade union representatives and would not be "compromising" its quality of care.

She added: "With a predicted increase in the cost of services and an increase in the numbers of people being treated, the trust is anticipating the need to make savings over the next few years.