Barnet's patient watchdog has vowed to keep a close eye on how additional Government funding for the borough's health authority will be spent.
The Department of Health this week announced it would be ploughing £725.06million into Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Health Authority for 2002-2003 an increase of nine per cent on the previous year.
Roger Chapman, chairman of Barnet Community Health Council (CHC), said: "We welcome the support and additional funding but we would want to make sure that it is effectively spent. We will keep a close eye on the plans and projects that come forward from the health authority."
Health Secretary Alan Milburn has earmarked the funds to bring in extra nurses and therapists.
Michael Foster, director of finance for the health authority, said the money would also be used to tackle targets stipulated by the Department of Health.
These include reducing waiting times, particularly for cardiac patients, ensuring 90 per cent of patients are seen by GPs within 48 hours by the end of 2002 and enabling some patients to choose where and when they are treated for the first time.
December 12, 2001 14:48
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