Cash-strapped Hertsmere Primary Care Trust (PCT) yesterday voted through a string of cost-cutting measures at its final board meeting.

The vote followed criticism this week over its 'unsatisfactory' month-long public consultation on the cuts, which finished on July 27.

The cuts, which include the loss of 15 beds at Potters Bar Community Hospital and the closure of the Elms Clinic, also in Potters Bar, are part of a financial recovery plan aimed at tackling an estimated £12.4 million deficit.

The decision means more patients will be treated in clinics, surgeries and homes in an attempt to reduce costly hospital fees. Cheaper versions of common prescription drugs will also be used to save money.

Other services such as oral surgery, sexual health, cardiology and neurology will be delivered in surgeries rather than hospitals.

Speaking at the meeting in Borehamwood yesterday, Robert Hillyard, vice-chairman of Hertsmere Patients' Forum, said: "These are modest savings. They haven't taken time to explore other options. I don't understand this obsession with making these closures now."

Residents, councillors, and health scrutiny chiefs criticised the short length of the consultation, the timing of meetings, the use of complicated medical jargon in the consultation document and the lack of evidence to back-up financial forecasts.

There was also confusion about why extra Government funding announced to support community hospitals could not be used to save the 15 beds axed at the Potters Bar Community Hospital.

Concern was raised that GPs had not been engaged in the consultation and had not signed up to the proposals.

Hertsmere MP James Clappison said: "The consultation period was far too short and the whole thing has been totally unsatisfactory.

"I'm totally opposed to all the proposals and asked the PCT to extend the period on many occasions. The public have not been given the chance to get their voices heard and it's utterly wrong."

In addition to these cuts, the PCT has pulled out of its promise to grant Borehamwood's Furzehill Community Development Centre £150,000 in funding.

And last week, the trust announced the closure of Manor Way surgery - the only health clinic in southern Borehamwood.

Yesterday's meeting was the last ever board meeting of Hertsmere PCT before it becomes part of the larger West Hertfordshire PCT on October 1.

Addressing residents and councillors at the meeting, Stuart Bloom, PCT chairman, said: "Potters Bar hospital is still the pearl in the crown, everything we are doing is to secure the use of that hospital and make better use of it and continue to meet the needs of the community.

"We are doing our best to make sure the quality of care is not diminished."

Jaqueline Clark, trust chief executive, said: "What we have tried to do is be genuinely utilitarian, to be even handed and not just cut costs.

"We're trying to do the best we can in difficult circumstances."

She also defended the consultation, saying it had included three public meetings and 11 other meetings with stakeholders.