Health chiefs have unveiled details of a multi-million pound programme of action heralding the biggest increase in spending on NHS services in the Bradford district.

Cancer treatment, hospital waiting lists, heart disease and emergency care are key areas targeted as part of an extra £14.9million which will be spent on health services in the area in the coming year.

Tens of thousands of people from deprived areas suffering long-term chronic health problems will particularly benefit from the extra cash in a programme being unveiled by Bradford Health Authority bosses at a meeting tomorrow.

The massive increase in spending - backed up by an additional £4.2million spent by social services - was today widely welcomed by health groups.

Expectations are high that more money could be on the way in coming years to improve hard-pressed health services in Bradford which are underfunded compared to other parts of the country.

Key elements of the programme include:

A maximum two-week wait to see a specialist for people with suspected breast and lung cancer in improvements costing more than £1million.

Action costing £850,000 to tackle heart disease, Bradford's biggest killer.

Improvements to community and hospital mental services worth £1.4million.

Targeting health problems in deprived areas in more than 40 separate schemes costing £3.5million as part of Bradford's Health Action Zone.

Reducing inpatient and outpatient hospital waiting lists in a new £2.7million initiative.

Paul Smith, director of planning at Bradford Health Authority, said it was the biggest single increase in spending.

"It will allow us to tackle some of the problems we have faced for many years," he said.

"It will be a major boost for local people who will start seeing some very early improvements."

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh said the initiatives fulfilled key pledges made by Labour. "I am absolutely delighted. It is the biggest spend ever in the district and will benefit all of Bradford and especially those in greatest need."

Barrie Scholfield, chairman of Bradford Community Health Council, said the extra cash for cancer services and waiting lists was important but attention needed to be paid to waiting times, not just the number of people waiting.

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