A NORTH Yorkshire MP has welcomed the three per cent increase in funding for NHS primary care services in the county.

Conservative Nigel Adams said it was now up to North Yorkshire and York PCT to make sure it used the £1,207.3 million it had been allocated for this financial year to improve health outcomes in its area.

The MP for Selby and Ainsty was speaking after quizzing Health Secretary Andrew Lansley in the House of Commons over NHS funding.

“It is clear that the Conservative-led coalition is committed to the NHS and this large increase in funding makes the case very strongly,” he said.

“It is down to the local trust to make sure the money is spent wisely to achieve value for money and the level of outcomes improves.”

Mr Lansley said the £1,207.3 million funding for 2011/12 included a cash increase of £34.7 million, equivalent to three per cent over the 2010/11 funding.

The PCT is responsible for commissioning primary care, secondary care and community services from health providers for NHS patients in York and North Yorkshire. Last year, Mr Lansley announced plans to replace all PCTs nationally with GP-led commissioning groups, but the proposals met such strong resistance that the plans were put on hold. The Government is expected to announce substantial changes to the reforms next week.