‘Scandal Of The West’s Missing £770M NHS Cash’

Health services in the West have suffered from a £770 million shortfall after years of government under-funding.

The chronic funding gap has meant that the 10 Primary Care Trusts in the region have missed out on millions of pounds that a funding formula calculates they need to provide services.

The money could have been spent on keeping community hospitals open in Wiltshire, drug treatment programmes in Bristol or on tackling the shortage of NHS dentists across the West.

The shortfall is the difference between the money received by PCTs from the Department of Health since 2003 and the amount the NHS national funding formula has calculated that they need to meet the health needs of their population.

The formula looks at the population of each area taking into account such factors as poverty, age and geographical differences to calculate the cost of providing healthcare.

Somerset PCT has the biggest under-funding in the area and has been given £191 million less than what is needed according to the formula.

Paul Goodwin, director of finance for Somerset PCT, said that despite being under-funded for many years the trust is meeting its service targets.

“The Department of Health allocated funding to primary care trusts based upon the relative needs of their population,” he said. “Historically, Somerset PCT has received less than its target share of resources.

“Since 2006-07 Somerset PCT has received a higher than average increase in funding recognising that it has historically received lower levels of funding.

“Somerset PCT is meeting all key national priorities. It has made significant reductions in hospital waiting times for local patients, reducing waits for routine treatment to amongst the lowest in the country.

“The PCT has also launched an ambitious programme of investment with four replacement community hospitals planned and the PCT is also investing in GP surgeries and cardiac and cancer services at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital.

“The PCT has helped 3,000 people quit smoking this year and has improved access to sexual health services with investment in new contraceptive and sexual health clinic in Taunton.”

But Steve Brooks, Somerset County Councillor for Taunton East and vice-chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee, said the county loses out in central government funding in all areas, not just health.

“Services have undoubtedly suffered in many areas because of this shortfall,” he said. “Health services in the county are very good with the money that the PCT does get but they could be better if they had the right funding. I’d like to see money spent on services for the elderly and in mental health. Somerset seems to be under-funded in almost everything.”

He added: “A rural county is challenging because services have to stretch further. For example, we are similar to Dorset and we are expected to meet the same targets but we do not get the same money.”

The former trusts that now make up Wiltshire PCT were the West’s most cash-strapped and in 2006 faced a £28million shortage.

The PCT has missed out on more than £61 million according to the figures, which were revealed in a parliamentary answer to the Liberal Democrats.

A spokesman for the Department of Health admitted trusts in the West had been historically underfunded.

He said: “Some trusts used to be as much as 20 per cent below target for funding, now the maximum is 3.5 per cent.

“They have enjoyed substantial above average increases in funding in the last two years and will receive a 5.5 per cent increase in 2008-09.

“The independent body that advises the Government in NHS funding allocations is reviewing the funding formula for the years 2009-11.”