Patients in Sutton and Merton get more spent per head on mental health than cancer, a report has revealed.

The report released by think tank the King’s Fund reveals the NHS postcode lottery in health spending.

Geoff Martin, head of campaigns for Health Emergency, said the figures for Sutton and Merton PCT represented a “decline in quality but a rise in cost’’ for mental health services in the borough.

He referred to the closure this year of the mental health unit at the Henderson Hospital and the threat of closure of the Malvern ward and the Sutton Hospital inpatient and day hospital.

Mr Marton said a £215m plan revealed last week to build local care centres in Sutton and Merton, including community mental health services, was a “scorched earth policy’’.

He said: “This is light years away from fruition - we aren’t likely to see anything until 2017 and meanwhile where do people go?

“This effectively eradicates access to mental health services across a whole swathe of north Surrey and Merton and Sutton.

"At a time when budgets are under attack they are going for the soft option which is to strip out access to a wide range of mental health services - people will be rightly angry when they see these services withdrawn in such a cavalier fashion."

The figures from the Kings Fund also show less than average is spent on mental health compared to NHS services across the country.

For cancer and tumours the PCT spends on average £87 per head, which puts it in the upper bracket of spending and almost double what is spent on patients in Ealing, West London, who get just £47 per head spent on them (the range is £47 to £118).

But for mental health the PCT spends £155 per head, which puts it in the bottom bracket - the range is £114 to £332.

Circulatory problems including heart disease receive about £97, which is in the lowest bracket of the league table - the range is £76 to £167.

A spokesperson for Sutton and Merton PCT said: “We are responsible for commissioning - or ‘buying’ - health services for local people.

“We do this by assessing the needs of the population so we can invest in the right services and review the spending against the population's needs.

“Since these figures were produced, the PCT has invested in mental health to develop community based services to help people maintain their independence before their problems become serious, or regain it after a period of illness.

“This is in line with national guidance and reflects the changing needs of the population."