EXTRA Government cash has been allocated to help improve healthcare in Huddersfield.
Health minister John Reid announced an annual increase of at least 8.1% in the amount of money given to primary care trusts over the next two years. He said areas where it is most needed would benefit most.
But the increases would only just cover the rise in costs, according to Huddersfield health chief Kevin Holder.
Huddersfield Central PCT will receive 8.2% for financial years 2006/07 and 2007/08, and South Huddersfield PCT will get 8.1% in 2006/07 rising to 8.2% in 2007/08.
The chief executive of both PCTs said: "We believe our allocation is at the bottom end of the allocations.
"Although we welcome the announcement we would have been delighted to have received more."
He highlighted how new consultant contracts, NHS pay structures and working hours for junior doctors had already swallowed up extra PCT cash.
Driving down patient waiting lists to just six months and funding new drugs would also increase costs.
He said: "There are very significant cost pressures in the system.
"It is therefore hard to say how we can develop new services or offer anything new."
But director of finance and deputy chief executive for the two PCTs Mark Day said: "The announcement of the PCT allocations will mean more money to the NHS frontline than ever before.
"In the five years to 2007/8 allocations to the frontline NHS will have increased by 56%.
"The two PCTs will receive an increase of just over £20 million.
"This level of funding will enable the PCTs to continue to improve local health services."
Health minister John Reid said the increases would see a fairer distribution of cash where it was most needed.
He said: "I am making sure that the most deprived areas, where there are appalling inequalities in life expectancy and concentrated problems of diseases, such as lung cancer or heart disease, receive extra investment.
"This means the distribution of money, in both the north and the south, is fairer than ever before.
"The NHS frontline will use the money to speed up access to operations and tackle bottlenecks like diagnostic tests.
"It will enable the NHS to achieve a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks end to end by 2008 - reduced from 18 months only a few years ago."
