Health services across the Lothians are facing funding cuts of up to £25m.

Bosses at NHS Lothian need to plug a £77m funding gap as they battle competing pressures and demands.

To find the savings, the use of bank and agency staff and the delivery of sexual health services will be reviewed. The use of private-sector facilities for patients on waiting lists is also expected to be reduced.

Health bosses claim NHS Lothian is underfunded in comparison with the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board.

The outline savings plans were approved by senior board members at a meeting on Wednesday.

NHS Lothian's finance director Susan Goldsmith said all services would continue but some would have more restricted resources.

She told the board meeting: "In some cases there might even be improvements in services, such as efficiencies around sickness absence which could offer a better service."

A full financial plan for the 2016-2017 period will be approved later this year.