South East Essex PCT to receive an additional 11.3% in its allocation over the next two years

 

NHS Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are to receive £164 billion funding over the next two years, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.   

South East Essex PCT is set to receive an 11.3% increase in its allocation over the next two years.  

Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point, Julian Ware-Lane, warmly welcomed this announcement, saying "These allocations sustain the growing investment in the health service, delivered by a Labour Government.  We continue to deliver better access to primary care and the shortest ever waiting times."    

"Those who use the health service cannot fail to have noticed the transformation since 1997" added Julian. "The last administration could not manage to bring down waiting times to eighteen months, yet nowadays nobody will wait more than eighteen weeks."

"Whilst it is not just about numbers, one must note that 80,000 more nurses and 38,000 more doctors are now working in the NHS as compared to 1997" 

"This money will be used, amongst other things, to further improve standards of cleanliness and tackle healthcare associated infections. It will also help in the drive to improve access to care through the achievement of the 18-week referral to treatment pledge and improve access to GP services, including at evenings and at weekends." 

"The NHS, perhaps the greatest British achievement of the twentieth century, celebrated its sixtieth birthday this year. A Labour achievement, best looked after by Labour Governments." 

The 2009/10 and 2010/11 revenue allocations represent £164bn investment in the NHS.  These allocations give PCTs the funding certainty to plan up to 2010/11. 

PCTs will control a greater proportion of funding, allowing them to tailor health services locally to meet local patient needs.  Over 80% of the total NHS revenue budget will be issued direct to PCTs, compared to 72% in 1996/97.   

Spend per head has risen to £1,612 in 2010/11 compared to £426 in 1996/97. 

South East Essex PCT consists of the boroughs of Castle Point and Southend-on-Sea, and the district of Rochford.