A FUNDING "crisis" that has thrown plans for new GP surgeries in Worcestershire into doubt could also hit family doctors, a county MP claimed in the Commons yesterday.

But the allegations were strongly denied by health officials this morning and Ministers said health service funding in Worcestershire had increased dramatically.

West-Worcestershire Tory MP Sir Michael Spicer said South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust is so short of cash it may not be able to afford to sign new GP contracts.

The contracts are designed to give doctors a pay rise of thousands of pounds over the next three years in return for better patient services.

The MP also highlighted his concerns over the decision to suspend eight planned new or improved south Worcestershire GP surgeries, which were put on ice after a Department of Health ruling subjected them to a "limited cash pot".

It is also feared the shortfall could cast a shadow over the future of two planned community hospitals in Malvern and Pershore.

Sir Michael said: "The PCT is seriously concerned that it might not have sufficient funds to honour commitments to the Government-arranged GP contracts, let alone to service the capital needed for the four new medical centres and two community hospitals promised in my constituency."

Mid-Worcestershire Conservative MP Peter Luff said it was "clear" that the PCT would not have enough money to meet the total bill for all its commitments.

He fears only one of the eight surgeries will win initial funding and wants assurances the remainder will not be ditched.

But Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster and Health Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman rounded on the Tory MPs, pointing out that over a three-year period, the PCT's funding had increased by £60.6m - 31 per cent.

Dr Ladyman claimed there should be "no concerns whatsoever" about having the resources to meet the PCT's obligations.

A PCT spokeswoman added: "All practices in south Worcestershire have signed the GP contract, which included their agreed budget."