DOCTORS, nurses and other hospital staff have been hit with "massive" increases in childcare charges as health bosses grapple to reduce a £3.5million debt.

Parents claim costs have gone up by 30 per cent after an £85,000 annual subsidy for the staff nursery at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, was axed.

One staff member said the cost of taking his child to the nursery had risen from £330 to £454 a month.

Health bosses insist the charges are still fair and in line with the new childcare facility at Burnley General Hospital, which is not subsidised.

But the regional officer for Unison, the union representing workers, said East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust was putting interest payments for the new £100million extension at Queen's Park, due to open in 2006, before "underpaid" staff.

A letter sent to staff from Mike Hall, head of facilities at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Bearing in mind the current financial situation and the charges to be implemented for staff using the new nursery facility at Burnley General Hospital, a review of charges has taken place."

Tim Ellis, of Unison, added: "The trust is paying 20 per cent interest because the hospital extension is funded by the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

"It is like buying a hospital on a credit card rather than through public funding."

A hospital worker who uses the nursery said he could not believe it when a letter arrived saying the costs for his child, who is under three years old, were increasing by around 30 per cent, from £330 per month to £454.

In comparison, Beechwood Children's Day Nursery, Roman Road, Blackburn, charges £368 a month for a three-year-old and £420 a month for a baby.

For a three-year-old at Country Fields Children Nursery, Higher Ramsgreave Road, Ramsgreave, Blackburn, charges £400 a month.

Nook Barn Nursery, Nook Lane, Blackburn, charges £352 a month for a three-year-old.

The worker said: "This is another kick in the teeth for the working parent. It is supposed to be subsidised, but now is the same cost as private nurseries."

Depending on the age of the child, the Queen's Park nursery costs up to £52 per month for a half-day a week, £103 per month for one day, £207 per month for two, £311 per month for three, £415 per month for four days and £519 per month for five.

Mr Hall added: "We recognise that this is a very important facility for staff with children and we aim to continue to maintain these high standards while charging what we consider to be a fair rate."

The health trust's debt is said to have been caused by an increase in spending to meet waiting list targets and increased costs for drugs for in-patients.

It also took on a £1million debt from the former Burnley Health Trust when the new trust was formed in April 2003.