PATIENTS in Hambleton and Richmondshire appear to benefit from a higher level of health funding compared to other areas of North Yorkshire according to a new report – but it is still less than other regions.

The Department of Health published the figures after York Central MP Hugh Bayley asked officials to reveal what cash allocation per head will be provided for each Care Commissioning Group (CCG) in Yorkshire and the Humber in 2013 to 2014.

Mr Bayley said patients in the Vale of York CCG area will receive less funding than other areas.

Patients in Ryedale and Scarborough will receive 17.5 per cent more money - £1,234 per person on average, compared to £1,050 per person in York – even though their hospital and community health services are provided by the same NHS Foundation Trust.

Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG will receive £1,195 per head.

But North Yorkshire County Councillor and Scrutiny of Health committee member Coun John Blackie said although Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG looked like a winner there was still a large divide between rural and urban areas.

He said: “The issue is I don’t think we have been favoured at all because our funding level, along with all the funding levels, is well below the regional average and well below against urban areas Barnsley and Leeds.”

Barnsley CCG will receive £1,378 and Leeds south and east CCG will get £1,307 – with Leeds north and Leeds west CCGs getting £1,142 and £1,062 respectively.

Coun Blackie added: “In this area we have the high cost of both rural and aging populations – something that other areas do not have to this extent.

“The two factors cost a lot in NHS funding.

“A GP surgery in the Dales area will cost far more than in an urban area – and people should not have to travel for forever and a day to see a doctor.”

Mr Bayley said: The Government has abandoned the long established NHS funding formula to determine how much money each of the new Care Commissioning Groups will receive – but North Yorkshire and York patients were treated equally.

“All patients in North Yorkshire should continue to get the same funding.”

The North Yorkshire and York Clinical Services Review report will be discussed at the board meeting of NHS North Yorkshire and York today (Tues, Jan 22) at 10am.