The chancellor's NHS spending boost has been given a warm welcome by frontline staff who are calling on the government to ensure pay and conditions are improved.

Groups representing staff who work for the NHS have given the Budget a massive show of support. BMA chairman Dr Ian Bogle said the announcement "offered real hope to the people who depend on the NHS".

It was a boost to "the million people working in it who want the NHS to succeed and want their efforts on behalf of patients to bear fruit" he said.

Staff signalled that they were prepared for the reforms demanded by Gordon Brown in return for the extra cash but insisted that their silence had not been bought.

But doctors warned that they would not simply offer uncritical support to Alan Milburn's plans. "We will be a critical and supportive friend to this project," said Dr Bogle.

"We intend to play a full part in the programme of reform but we will continue to tell the full unvarnished truth about where change is needed and where doctors and nurses simply need to be allowed to get on with the job without the distraction of hoops, hurdles and targets."

The Royal College of Nursing said the rise in National Insurance contributions sent out the simple message that the founding ethos of the NHS was being reaffirmed.

"The budget announcement reaffirms the government's commitment to the principles of the NHS as well as the continued investment in the NHS over the next five years, ," said general secretary Dr Beverly Malone. "Sustained investment is vital to improving services."

Pay and conditions would have to improve as part of any reform process, the RCN warned.

"We were pleased the chancellor mentioned Agenda for Change - the process for modernising staff career and pay structures. This is crucial to improving the health service," said Malone.

"Nurses will particularly welcome increases in the working families tax credit as we know many nurses are forced out of the profession by childcare costs. "

The British Dental Association said the budget was an opportunity for the government to make real progress.

Dr John Renshaw of the organization said: "We welcome the financial commitment to the NHS announced by the chancellor today.

"The Wanless report on NHS funding, also published today, is right to focus on the importance of information technology to the health service.

"Better information technology would mean better information for patients and better support for dentists."