Health spending will rise by £10bn over the next four years - but experts predict massive job losses and service cuts as the extra cash is swallowed up by soaring costs, writes M.E.N. health reporter Amanda Crook.

Mr Osborne announced a 0.4 per cent real terms increase for the NHS over the next four years. But health insiders say an extra three per cent is needed each year just to maintain the same level of care. Union leaders say the government's claim that it is increasing health spending is the review’s ‘big lie.’

The NHS in Greater Manchester is under pressure to save £950m by 2014/15. Paul Foley, head of health for Unison in the north west, predicted up to 10,000 could go in Greater Manchester. He said: "There is not a health trust in Greater Manchester that won't be affected. They are all looking at services, terms and conditions and staffing numbers.

"Now the trusts need to be honest about what cuts they will make and where."

There were few surprises and little comfort in The Chancellor's speech for health bosses. Mr Osborne re-announced the £44m to build a new super maternity unit at The Royal Oldham hospital – one of only three major NHS building schemes nationwide.

Now health bosses are waiting for two key pieces of information - what government priorities they will have to achieve next year; and how much they will be paid for carrying out routine treatments.

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