ONLY time will tell whether the billions invested by Labour in the Health Service will prove to be well spent, according to NHS guru Sir Derek Wanless.

The Newcastle-born independent Government advisor warned that it was too soon to make judgements on NHS investment.

The Tories have repeatedly criticised Labour for allegedly failing to demonstrate that the massive increase in public spending in the Health Service has produced improved results.

Sir Derek was speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo before the launch of Durham University's Health Strategy Board.

The former chief executive of NatWest Bank was the author of two influential reports on the NHS in 2002 and last year, which supported the continuation of a tax-based system of health care.

"Productivity is very difficult to measure," said Sir Derek.

"A lot of the money was needed to do things that were long-term. Computer systems, new hospitals and training staff are not things that produce short term results.

"International comparisons showed there was a lot of catching-up to do. The money wasn't going to have an immediate effect."

But eventually it would become apparent whether the money has been well spent, he added.

"From the information that is published, I cannot possibly express a view on whether we are getting enough from the money or not, because it depends on whether in the long term things have been right.

"If we get those things, they will start producing the results," said Sir Derek.

He congratulated Durham University for setting up the Health Strategy Board, which is an attempt to link academic research with practical health benefits in the region.

"I am a great supporter of people locally knowing what their problems are. It is one of the good things they are doing here," he said.