A HEALTH watchdog today criticised Huddersfield health officials who are facing a huge debt.
Officials of the town's two primary care trusts can expect to end the financial year with a shared debt of more than £6m.
That has meant cutbacks, including the cancelling of planned operations at hospitals in Huddersfield and Halifax.
Dr Bob Heys, chairman of the Calderdale and Huddersfield Patient and Public Involvement Forum, says the overspend is "extremely worrying".
He added: "It's hard to see how services can be maintained at present levels."
The former consultant obstetrician said the cash problems could have a knock-on effect at hospitals.
He added: "The care trusts should have foreseen this. They have failed in their attempts to bring it under control.
"They must explain the reasons for that."
