OXFORDSHIRE is set to get one of the lowest NHS funding increases in the country because we are seen as healthier and wealthier than most of England, the Oxford Mail has learned.

The county will receive a 2.6 per cent increase to its annual health budget, which amounts to about £22m extra.

Only one primary care trust will receive a lower increase – Kingston in south west London at 2.5 per cent, on average other places will get three per cent.

Dr Peter Skolar, chairman of Oxfordshire’s joint health overview and scrutiny committee, called for more parity and equality.

Dr Skolar said: “I have been fighting for this for years. It is about time Oxfordshire got the proper level of funding that we should be having.

“Our per capita spend is among the lowest in the country. But people here get just as unwell as they do everywhere else.

“We have an ageing population, many of whom will need hip replacements.

“There is no way we do not need the same level of health services.”

Ten areas of Oxford are ranked among the country’s most deprived areas.

Neighbourhoods in Blackbird and Greater Leys, Rose Hill, Barton, Littlemore and Sandhills are all included.

But by contrast there are 18 communities in the city which are among the most affluent areas in Britain, including areas of North Oxford. Matthew Tait, NHS Oxfordshire finance director, said despite the county having some of the most deprived estates in England, it was seen as generally healthy and affluent.

He said: “The indicators used in the national allocation indicate Oxfordshire is relatively healthier as a county therefore requires less funding.”

NHS Oxfordshire now has a per head health care spend allocation of £1,374 up from £1,308 last year.