Croydon’s health bosses could be going cap in hand to neighbouring boroughs to help fill its £27m funding black hole.

NHS Croydon’s financial team were looking at its accounts and in November last year discovered millions of pounds missing from the budget following an overspent.

It called in auditors and is seeking ways to plug the hole.

It has joined into a partnership with neighbouring boroughs Merton, Sutton, Kingston, Richmond and Wandsworth and may turn to them for assistance.

At a South West London Joint Boards meeting last week, one solution suggested was for Wandsworth to hand over its cash.

Only NHS Wandsworth has managed to save any money, a figure believed to be £16.7m.

During Thursday's meeting, Steven Hickey, the vice-chair of NHS Wandsworth, said he was "very concerned" that Wandsworth might not be able to spend the savings it has accrued.

But a potential saving grace may revolve around future changes to the way GPs operate and are funded.

It was announced last year that GP-led commissions are to manage NHS funds.

These changes were due to be rolled out next year and their introduction could allow disbanded NHS trusts to "write off" all their previous debt.

A spokeswoman for NHS South West London said: “NHS Wandsworth surplus will not be used to bail out NHS Croydon’s deficit.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Croydon added: “As of the end of Month 8, we have submitted to NHS London a forecast deficit of £26.8 million for 2011/12.

“This mainly relates to prior-year items that were not included in the PCT’s accounts in 2010/11.

“An independent review is underway into the 2010/11 accounts. This has been commissioned by NHS London. “Meanwhile, our recovery plan is progressing and we are working closely with all of our partners and providers to develop this in detail. Whilst developing the plan to bring us back into balance, patient safety and clinical quality remain our highest priority.

“The recovery plan will be about redesigning services and commissioning more cost effectively, not cutting them.”

John Lister, of London Health Emergency, believes questions are still unanswered about Croydon's use of the money.