HEALTH chiefs in York and Selby have pledged to cut hospital waiting lists and improve access to NHS dentistry after a £52.2 million windfall.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) will receive an extra £24.7 million next year and £28.7 million the year after.

Philip Grant, the PCT's director of finance, said the money would help the PCT clear its £6.4 million deficit, reach Government targets to slash waiting times and improve access to NHS dentistry.

The money should also allow for tackling bottlenecks and fresh investment into community services.

Selby and York was among five PCTs in North and East Yorkshire promised an extra £179.2 million by Health Secretary John Reid yesterday.

The PCT is the NHS organisation responsible for improving the health of the local population, and the new money means that every person in Selby and York will have an average £1,209 spent on their health.

Mr Grant said the PCT aimed to meet the Government requirement of maximum waiting times of 18 weeks by 2008.

Last month, the PCT promised to create 5,350 new dental places over the next three years, to ease the area's mounting dental prices.

Mr Grant said he was unsure whether the Government would impose new targets on the PCT alongside the cash, but stressed patients would benefit. "It's not going to solve our financial problems over night, but it will form part of our three-year strategy to regain a balanced financial position," he said.

"We'll make sure we invest in patient care by developing new services that provide care and support to patients and their carers in the community and close to their homes, rather than them having to go to hospital."

Last year, patient activity at York Hospital cost the PCT £3.2 million, while a further £1.3 million was spent on implementing a new service and payment contract with the area's GPs.

Additional drains on the budget included buying supplies and a £30 to £40 million drugs bill.

Fact file

NHS funding increases over two years:

Selby and York - £52.2 million

Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale - £35.3 million

Craven, Harrogate and Rural District - £36.9 million

Hambleton and Richmondshire - £20.3 million

Yorkshire Wolds and Coast - £33.3 million

Updated: 09:54 Thursday, February 10, 2005