HEALTH workers are calling for further cuts to a £350m "super hospital" - as they say it will drain cash from local health services.

Unison, the health professionals' union, has warned that it could prompt a financial "meltdown".

Plans for the hospital have finally been given the go-ahead by health bosses after the project came under threat in a funding row.

The private finance initiative, built by Catalyst Healthcare, would replace Booth Hall and the Royal Manchester Children's hospitals with a new children's hospital, eye hospital, women's hospital and adult services on the Manchester Royal Infirmary site from 2008.

Greater Manchester's 14 primary care trusts were due to sign plans two months ago, but it was set back a year at a cost of £100,000 a month - because the hospital went £120m over budget.

'Half measure'

Now a compromise deal has been agreed to shave £30m from the £383m building costs and £10m off annual running costs.

But this has been branded a "half- measure" by health workers.

Unison says that, despite the cuts, Greater Manchester health services will still struggle with a £630m debt by 2010.

Regional officer Andy Gill warned of the "meltdown" because all the cash would go into the "super hospital" scheme.

Earlier this year, the Manchester Evening News revealed that the project could plunge the local health service £700m in the red by 2010.

To scale down costs, 150 beds and four operating theatres have been dropped from the scheme.

Chief executives of three primary care trusts in the region have already agreed to the revised plans.

But before the deal is finalised, it must be approved by Greater Manchester's 14 primary care trusts next June.

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