LANCASHIRE doctors are ‘encouraged’ by the government’s promise of an extra £2 billion for the health service, but said longer term investment is needed.

Dr David Wrigley, who represents Lancashire doctors in the British Medical Association (BMA), said: “The chancellor’s announcement that more funding will be allocated to the NHS is an encouraging step forward as it does appears that politicians of all parties are starting to getting the message about the dire state of the NHS finances.

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“We are particularly pleased that policy-makers have listened to the BMA and confirmed that £250 million will be allocated annually for the next four years to invest in GP premises and out of hospital infrastructure. “Many GP facilities have been starved of investment for decades with the result that a number of GP practices are too small and inadequate to cope with the number of patients coming through the surgery door.

“Despite this announcement, the NHS continues to face a number of challenges, with staff shortages, especially in emergency care, remaining a cause of concern. We need this announcement to be the start of a long term programme of investment in the NHS that is backed by all policy-makers so that patients continue to get the care they deserve and need.”