§ 6. Mr. Freemanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what basis of population statistics is used for the calculation of allocation of resources to regional health authorities.
§ Mr. HayhoeResources are allocated to regional health authorities using broadly the methods recommended by the resource allocations working party. However, the basis of population statistics has been revised and from 1985–86 onwards allocations are calculated on the basis of population projections for the year of allocation, rather than on the population estimates for past years as recommended by the working party. This new approach is thus more sensitive to the needs of regions with rapidly growing or declining populations.
§ Mr. FreemanI am most grateful to my right hon. Friend for his answer. It will be good news to growing regions, such as the Oxford health region, in which my constituency, Kettering, lies.
Will my right hon. Friend undertake to look at the morbidity rates which are used in the RAWP formula for the allocation of resources between the different regions of the country?
§ Mr. HayhoeI gladly give that undertaking, and with my Treasury experience behind me, I add "with no commitment."
§ Mr. LoydenIn addition to the criteria that the Minister uses in terms of population, what consideration is being given to the incidence of diseases in certain regions, particularly those with high unemployment and poverty?
§ Mr. HayhoeThere are several complicated matters of which account is taken in the allocation of resources. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman, giving him full details.
§ Mr. KennedyIs the Minister basically satisfied that the RAWP formula can work at a time of economic recession, which the National Health Service is having to shoulder?
§ Mr. Hayhoe"Recession" is a curious word to use when, over the lifetime of the Government, there has been a growth in resources in real terms of over 20 per cent.