REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has hit back at criticism by Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride about the discrepancy in Government money spent on health services in Worcestershire compared to neighbouring areas.

Ms Smith says spending on the NHS in the county has "rocketed in recent years", even though people in Solihull still receive more money.

In the light of proposals to downgrade the county's health services, Miss Kirkbride has written to the Department of Health demanding an explanation as to why this discrepancy exists.

Based on weighted figures - taking into account levels of deprivation - Worcestershire residents receive £49 less per head than people in Solihull.

Miss Kirkbride said: "Given the population of Worcestershire, every pound per head extra we secure makes a big difference to the hospital services we can afford.

"We have lower salaries and lower population densities than many of the authorities which receive more in health funding per head and if we had our fair share, we would not be faced with these cuts.

''I am demanding an explanation from ministers."

But Ms Smith said the proposed cuts at the Alexandra Hospital were not about the amount of Government money but the efficiency of Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust.

"All of a sudden, Miss Kirkbride and her Conservative colleagues appear to think funding levels are important for our public services. But in reality, they have consistently voted against every measure to increase funding since 1997.

''Miss Kirkbride's statement on funding should be taken with a large pinch of salt - while holding your nose - otherwise you might get a nasty whiff of hypocrisy," said Ms Smith.

"Whatever the level of spending inefficiencies in public services must be challenged but that doesn't mean that vital services should be cut.

''The trust's own figures show that if they were ambitious enough, no services would be cut.

"That's what I am fighting for," she added