Cumbria's cash-strapped hospitals trust is ahead of schedule as it looks to reduce costs.
Stephen Eames, chief executive, said a range of initiatives had helped save cash.
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust finished the last financial year with a deficit of more than £60m.
It remains in special measures, after health inspectors raised concerns in 2013 about staffing levels and patient care.
Mr Eames said the aim over the next financial year was to save £13.4m, which represents just under four per cent of its overall budget.
He believes those savings can be made without affecting the level of care given to patients.
By the end of May the trust was ahead of target by about £200,000.
Mr Eames said: "That’s a good position to be in, but obviously there's most of the year to go."
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