CASH-strapped health chiefs across Hampshire will re-ceive a cash boost of more than £220m from the government, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Health Secretary John Reid announced inflation-busting funding increases so primary care trusts (PCTs) can tackle killer diseases such as cancer and slash waiting lists.

Dr Reid also said the money would be used to fund school nurses, community matrons and health trainers in a bid to improve levels of health and identify illnesses at an early stage.

Across the Echo's circulation area alone, PCTs are in line for a total of about £222m.

In Southampton, the city's PCT will receive a £52.7m boost, increasing the organisation's funding by 19.5 per cent from £270.4m in 2005-06 to £323.2m in 2007-08.

It means every person will have an average £1,353 spent on their health. But it will still be 2.1 per cent - or some £6.7m - less than the PCT needs.

Dr Reid said the increased funding was part of £135 billion of investment in primary care over the next two years.

He said: "The NHS frontline will use the money to speed up access to operations and tackle bottlenecks like diagnostic tests.

"It will enable the NHS to achieve a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks end to end by 2008 - reduced from 18 months only a few years ago.

"Patients also want the NHS to move away from being a sickness service towards becoming a true health service.

"Today's allocations will help the NHS locally to recruit school nurses and health trainers to tackle the growing trends in obesity as well as improve services for sexually transmitted infections."

Bosses at Southampton City PCT - the lowest funded PCT per head of population in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - welcomed news of one of the highest allocations in the county.

Chief executive Brian Skinner said: "We are pleased to be receiving this extra funding, which means we can continue to deliver progress towards improving health services.

"Frontline NHS services are receiving more money than ever before.

"Over the past year, the trust has seen an increased demand on its services. This has led to the trust's current £2.8m deficit."