by emma
1. August 2011 16:35
The Government has denied claims that deprived areas of England will lose out to affluent locations under NHS reforms.
The accusations come from Labour, highlighting figures suggesting that funding changes to primary care trusts will result in Manchester suffering cuts of £42million and Liverpool losing £33million.
This was contrasted with Surrey, who will receive an extra £61million, and Hampshire set to receive an increase of £52million.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley rejected these claims, stating “We’re not taking money away from any parts of England, we’re increasing the budget for the health service in England.
“The average increase in each PCT is 3% compared to the provision the previous year. The minimum increase is 2.5%.”
Shadow Health Secretary John Healey said that the figures reveal that the Tories’ NHS plans will make inequality worse, not better: “The plans will hit services that help people stop smoking, promote healthy eating and exercise and raise awareness about the risks of sexually transmitted diseases.”
The Government stated that the funding changes were based on independent advice and that Labour's figures are misleading.
The DH said that a greater emphasis on the prevention of illness would assist those living in poorer parts of England in the future.
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Tags: Government, NHS, budget, bias, inequality, location, area, England, deprived areas, affluent, NHS reforms, Labour, funding, primary care, Manchester, Liverpool, Surrey, Hampshire, Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, health service, PCT, increase, reduction, provision, John Healey, smoking, healthy eating, exercise, sexually transmitted diseases, funding changes
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