A Kent doctor has voiced his unease that patients are soon to get their own health budgets so they can pick and choose what NHS services they want.

Dr Julian Spinks, who practises at Court View Surgery in Strood, said it could lead to patients spending all their money too quickly and being left unable to obtain treatment in the latter part of the year.

The legislation has been included in the Health Bill unveiled in Parliament on Friday and could be piloted in England later this year.

It would mean patients would receive a direct cash payment or a notional budget.

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Dr Spinks said: “The idea of offering patients choice in general is good because people involved in their own care tend to do better than those who just have it given to them.

“But I do have some concerns. Firstly, if people are going to have a fixed budget what happens to them once they’ve spent their budget?

“Secondly this means those who are most capable of managing their own affairs will do better than those who are less capable.

“So regardless of personal budgets being brought in things may still depend upon what sort of advice patients get when it comes down to getting a good outcome.”