THE NHS must do more to stop the most deprived communities with the greatest healthcare needs being left behind, the health service watchdog has warned.

The Health Care Commission's State of Health Care report revealed many inequalities based on wealth, race and region - and highlighted the case of Easington, County Durham. It said it was concerned about how increases in the Government's spending on health care were being allocated across the country.

Easington should have been receiving £26.5m more a year to meet the formula target, while Knowsley in Merseyside was £30m below target and Birmingham £34.7m.

In comparison, Westminster in London received an additional £66.3m above its target, Richmond and Twickenham £27.5m and Kensington and Chelsea £30.3m.

Sir Ian Kennedy, chairman of the Health Care Commission, said: "We recognise the Government has a system that, by 2010, will move communities away from their historical funding towards the funding that they should receive.

"Eventually, more money will go to the communities that most need it.

"However, 2010 is far away and the Health Care Commission would like to see more money going to those who need it, more urgently."

Health Secretary John Reid said he would soon be starting work to make sure that funds were more fairly distributed across the NHS.