Worcestershire Royal Hospit al, which yesterday announced more than 700 job cuts, was one of the region's first new hospitals funded under a Private Finance Initiative.

The "mortgage" the trust pays to its commercial contractor under the PFI agreement may also have contributed to its financial headache.

Graham Bennett, director of finance, said: "We've calculated the costs of having a new hospital on this site through PFI. Although that is not the only factor, it is costing us £7 million more than we thought.

"I would like to say we could borrow money from the new NHS Central Bank but at the moment it's not looking good.

"It seems their equations are based on us not having a year end deficit, therefore they don't think we need to benefit from this bank."

Last night Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, blamed Ministers for the cuts, claiming his attempts to raise concerns about how the Government was managing the NHS led to criticism that he was attacking the hardworking staff.

"But today it is those same Ministers and MPs who are responsible for sending a shockwave through the staff at our county's hospitals with this dreadful announcement," said Mr Luff.

"The looming £30 million deficit, on top of a historic deficit of about another £30 million is the result of Government policy."

Malcolm Cooper, agent for Dr Richard Taylor, the Independent MP for Wyre Forest, said: "This is horribly reminiscent of the situation at Kidderminster, where the trust opted to close the hospital to save £7.8 million. We told them at the time that would not save money."