NURSES and other health workers could take industrial action if doctors do not save money, said a union chief.

The health workers who work for Warrington Primary Care Trust are being squeezed as it tries to make savings and balance the budget, said Brian Morris, who represents the Unions within the PCT.

But savings are not being made by the GPs, who spend 52 per cent of the budget, he added.

"We could end up heading for some form of industrial action," said Mr Morris. "The nurses, and physios are other staff are being squeezed and at some stage they are going to have to say enough is enough otherwise patient care is going to suffer.

"Everyone else apart from the GPs has had to make savings because they have not given them that money.

"If the GPs overspend that money is going to come out of the nurses budget. The PCT has no governance over how the GPs spend their money."

Mr Morris raised the issue at last week's meeting of the PCT board.

It had heard the results of a staff survey which found many had lost faith in the trust's values and that patient care was the priority, following massive reorganisation since last year over its financial problems.

Warrington Primary Care Trust has a deficit it must clear over three years by the end of 2008/09.

Paula Darlington, the council's head of environmental management, said: "The council is not cutting staff training courses, nor is the centre closing.

"The centre and the courses it provides are being relocated to Walton Hall, alongside the development of a new Horticultural Centre of Excellence.

"We are working in partnership with Myerscough College and Warrington Collegiate to offer more courses and training opportunities for staff than ever before.

"We are committed to offering high-quality training for staff and this has not changed. The centre at Woolston will now be used to accommodate staff who will be relocated from other depots across Warrington.

"The council was a pioneering authority in developing Union Learning Reps and fully recognises their important role in identifying the training needs of staff."

A spokesman for Warrington PCT said it has agreements to monitor how money is spent.

They said: "We noted the survey results and are working to ensure patients receive quality treatment in the most appropriate setting as quickly as possible.

"The survey proved very useful and we were encouraged by the increasing proportion of staff that felt they were being recognised for their good work.

"Also, the recognition of substantial levels of ongoing training plus high satisfaction levels with levels of support given by management were also noted.

"Warrington PCT has a historical £7.9m cash deficit which is being addressed over a four year period."