Health Secretary Alan Johnson launched a blistering attack on North Lancashire Primary Care Trust (PCT).

He made his comments after Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith told him that the PCT blamed the Government for blocking its own plans to expand GP services.

North Lancashire PCT has been designated an "under-doctored area" and is in line to receive cash from the Government to increase the number of GPs.

The Department of Health wants one GP-led medical centre and two new practices in the PCT area. However, local doctors say the centres would need a combined 18,000 patients and would devastate existing surgeries.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Smith asked Mr Johnson why there was not more "flexibility" in the Government's plans.

She said: "This should be done in that way only if the primary care trust wants that, but the PCT in my area blames the Government. It says it would like to do it another way, but the Government will not allow it to do so."

Mr Johnson replied: "My honourable friend has raised this point with me, and a letter about the disgraceful attitude of the PCT is winging its way towards her. Although there may be numerous PCTs which are trying to duck this issue by blaming the Government, they are wrong."

The Department of Health has attempted to explain the strongly-worded attack.

A spokesman said: "If a PCT was standing in the way of plans to improve access to services for its patients, then that would be considered disgraceful."

But Ms Smith criticised Mr Johnson's broadside.

She said: "I think he was being unfair on the PCT. At the end of the day they are carrying out Government policy. I guess from his point of view, he would argue they are there to implement Government policy.

"There should be local flexibility. It should be the PCT deciding how to take things forward."

Kevin McGee, director of commissioning and performance at North Lancashire Teaching Primary Care Trust, said: "The PCT is very supportive of the national programme to improve access to primary health care and the fact that this is bringing significant additional investment into primary care within North Lancashire.

"It is true that we are on a very tight timetable to procure these new services, but the PCT is meeting this timetable and is very excited about the new facilities that will become available."