NHS Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will receive a 2.14 per cent increase from the government in the financial year 2014/15.

The £196 million budget is of pivotal importance for the CCG, which buys the majority of healthcare for the 140,000 people who live in Thanet.

The CCG’s planning for 2014/15 has taken into account a population increase in Thanet of 1.54 per cent.

A more detailed budget paper will be brought to the CCG’s governing body for agreement at its 11 March meeting. And a final, detailed budget for 2014/15 will be brought to the governing body on 13 May.

Dr Tony Martin, the Clinical Chair of NHS Thanet CCG, said: “Our resources are finite, and this means that we have to be exceptionally careful with our expenditure.

“In Thanet, the prescribing bill alone costs more than £23 million a year. The CCG also has to plan and pay for most health services for people in an area that has above average deprivation.

“Despite the financial restraints on us, the people of Thanet can be assured that the CCG will continue to do all it can to improve the health outcomes of the people of Thanet.”

* NHS Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group buys and plans the healthcare for the people of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.