£46 for cancer patients’ care

According to figures from a report by the Kings Fund, Warrington PCT is in the bottom five for the amount of money spent on cancer patients at £46 per person.

This compared to the best performing PCT; Daventry and South Northants, which spends £132 per person on cancer care.

But Dr Marioth Manche, the town's deputy director of public health was quick to defend Warrington PCT and questioned the accuracy of the figures.

He said: "These figures can only be indicative. If they are accurate it shouldn't be about how much money is spent but what the population is getting out of that money.

"As long as the cancer mortality figures are coming down and preventative services are in place, people are getting value for money and that makes far more sense than saying that Warrington is in the bottom five."

The report, Local Variations in NHS Spending Priorities, does point out that individual PCTs may have good reason for spending different amounts on different disease areas, compared with the national average'.

PCTs can spend different amounts because their budgets are designed to reflect the particular needs of their population. The amount of money allocated by the Department of Health to each PCT is based on a formula that takes into account, not only the need for health care, but also a PCT's population size, age structure and variations in the cost of the services which it provides.

The report adds that: "High-spending PCTs may, at the margin, achieve little more in terms of health benefits than lower spending PCTs - suggesting that resources would be better spent on other programmes."

According to the figures, Warrington PCT spends more on patients with circulatory problems including coronary heart disease. They receive £106 per person for care.

Its allocation for mental health care is £180 per person.

These three areas consume the largest shares of PCT spending as they are the Government's priorities for the NHS.