Hospital Trusts across the district are facing increasing financial pressure because of higher expectations, according to health chiefs.

The Government's NHS plan is placing a burden on hospital finances and could lead to projects being axed and cost cutting exercises to meet targets.

Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust is still negotiating with Bradford Health Authority and Primary Care Trusts to fill a £4 million funding gap for the current financial year.

Speaking at a trust board meeting, its chief executive, David Jackson, said he was uneasy about the situation.

He said: "There are still a number of major issues that have not been resolved and I have a sense of unease.

"At this stage, I'd rather it was clear what we expect to achieve and the resources available to do it. The fact is this is not unusual but that doesn't make it more comfortable."

The NHS plan, launched last year, aims to reform the health service, including creating 7,000 extra beds, 20,000 new nurses and an extra £900 million investment in intermediate care.

Although local NHS organisations will receive extra cash, the requirements currently exceed available resources.

A report from Mr Jackson to the trust board states that: "There will inevitably be a need for a significant cost reduction programme across Bradford Hospitals caused by unfunded rising expectations and costs and the annual efficiency requirement."

Finance director Paul Earp said it would be hard to cut costs as the trust was widely regarded as efficient.

He said: "The national plan has increased people's expectations of what the health service can and should deliver. There is a shortfall of funding that will allow us to deliver all of that over short term."

He added that it was not unusual to cut costs and that the staff levels would be unaffected as they were seeking to save money in other areas.