The organisation behind Chelmsford's healthcare, including GPs, faces a £5 million shortfall by the end of the year.
The Primary Care Trust has been stripped of its stars in the latest health league tables. It is the only health organisation in Essex not to score any.
The loss of the two stars it was awarded last year reflects the serious financial position of the Trust.
In other areas the Trust scored well, apart from access by patients to a primary healthcare professional.
The PCT's new chief executive, Dr Paul Zollinger Read, said there were serious issues to be addressed and measures were being taken to tackle the financial crisis.
He said: "There are significant problems, in particular a large financial deficit and difficulties in achieving important primary care access targets, such as patients seeing a health care professional at their local surgery within 24 hours.
"I am confident we can turn this situation around and make significant improvements over the next year."
Mid Essex Hospitals Trust, which runs Broomfield Hospital, was awarded two stars.
Published Thursday July 22, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article