A HEALTH trust says strong management means it is expecting to finish the financial year in the black.

NHS South East Essex primary care trust, which commissions all non-hospital healthcare in South-end, Rochford and Castle Point, said it was expecting to have a budget surplus of more than £1.1million for the financial year 2010/11.

David Griffiths, director of finance at NHS South East Essex, said: “I am delighted, for the fifth year running, NHS South East Essex is hoping to announce a small surplus to its budget.

“This is particularly pleasing in the financial climate we are now working in. “We have done this by using our funds more imaginatively and effectively and increasing productivity in every area of our work we undertake.”

The results are an achievement, compared to neighbouring NHS South West Essex, which was £10million in debt in February this year.

On Friday, the Echo incorrectly stated NHS South East Essex was carrying debts of £17million in April 2010, when the trust actually had an £800,000 surplus.

The trust also welcomed a £16million increase in its 2011/12 budget.

It hopes to spend the extra cash on additional support for carers, funding for increased rehabilitation services and increased numbers of health visitors.

However, the pressures of an ageing population and increased cost of new technologies means the trust will also have to find savings of £22million this year.