OXFORDSHIRE’S NHS will get the lowest funding per head than any other part of England, a county NHS chief claims.

And Ian Wilson said the funding for the 12 months from April 1, the 2014/15 financial year, could be cut further if budgets go in the red this year.

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) will see its budget go from £597.8m this year to £617.6m, it was announced last month.

It makes most decisions on where cash should be spent, such as on hospital and community services.

In a report to board members to be discussed today, Mr Wilson said there is “a need for caution alongside the optimism” despite the rise.

Mr Wilson, OCCG interim chief executive, said: “The allocations information did confirm that OCCG has the lowest allocation per head of population of any CCG in the country.”

Oxfordshire has traditionally got less cash as its population is seen as “healthy” and less likely to use NHS services.

Next year’s figure could be cut if it goes into deficit, where a £6.1m overspend would see its cash cut to £611.5m, Mr Wilson said.

He said: “This re-emphasises the need for absolute focus on financial recovery.”

It will get £646.2m the next year, 2015/16.