HOSPITAL waiting times could increase and patients may have to wait longer to be discharged after £6million worth of spending cuts were confirmed, according to a health boss.

County councillors have been left counting the cost after an anticipated £2million rise in the public health budget failed to materialise – and George Osborne slashed by the budget by an expected £4million.

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Lancashire politicians will now have to consider where the axe will fall within their public health responsibilities, which range from healthy eating to mental health promotion, tackling drug abuse and smoking cessation to sexual health services, infection control advice and family planning.

Cllr Azhar Ali, the county’s health and wellbeing cabinet member, said: “The government said it would ring-fence the NHS but the first thing they have done is hit public health.

“That willmean longer waiting times and longer waits for discharges. There are high pressure areas in NHS and social care and these will be affected.

“The larger southern areas like Sussex and Essex are getting more money than cities and counties around there, which proves talk of George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse is a nonsense.”

County council officials are now set to write to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in protest at the move, which will see public health spending cut by £200million nationally.

Cllr David Sparks, Local Government Association chairman, said: “A £200 million reduction in public health funding will have some impact on councils’ ability to improve the public’s health and wellbeing and reduce demand for hospital, health and social care services.

“Councils have finalised budgets and planned spending for the next 12 months. Local authorities can’t be handed further in-year reductions and be expected to protect the services upon which people rely.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “The NHS budget will remain protected but decisions need to be made in order to reduce the deficit.”

Consultations were now taking place with local authorities to determine the most appropriate ways of making the necessary reductions, it was stated.