HC Deb 25 November 1986 vol 106 cc127-8
6. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to ensure that Leicestershire is brought up to its full budget allocation within resources allocation working party.

Mr. Newton

Leicestershire has had a real growth in NHS resources of 34 per cent. since 1978–79. From 17 per cent. below its RAWP target in 1976, the district is now only 4 per cent. from target. Decisions on allocations to districts are for regional health authorities, but Trent RHA remains committed to further improvements in services in Leicestershire, and we intend to ensure that Trent can continue to honour that committment.

Mr. Janner

Although I appreciate the improvement in the Trent region's RAWP allocation, under pressure from county Members of Parliament of all parties, may I say how important it is that the Minister should understand the hardship that still remains because of the inadequacy of health resources in the county? In my constituency, for example, is he aware that the Groby Road heart hospital could cope with 750 open heart operations a year but, because of a shortage of resources, can manage only 500, while people are suffering, are in need and are shifted to other areas? Is the Minister aware that that would not be necessary if the Government would allocate to health the resources that they ought to provide?

Mr. Newton

The hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware that his regional health authority has provided extra resources for cardiothoracic work in Leicester and is examining many other aspects of the problem with the district health authority.

Mr. Latham

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Can he assure me that, when Leicestershire Members of Parliament meet the district health authority this afternoon, we will be able to tell it without hesitation that the Government intend to meet the RAWP target by the stated date, irrespective of what is done for London?

Mr. Newton

I note my hon. Friend's request. I spoke to the regional chairman last week. He has expressed himself well satisfied with the outcome of the public expenditure round and the position in which he expects Trent to find itself.

Mr. Clelland

Has the RAWP process not become descredited under this Government to such an extent that, in the northern region and Newcastle—[HON. MEMBERS: "What has this to do with Leicestershire?"] I am talking about the RAWP process. No doubt the same conditions apply in Newcastle as in Leicestershire. [HON. MEMBERS: "The question is about Leicestershire."] As in Leicestershire, resources for Newcastle are utterly inadequate—so much so that Newcastle district health authority is having to make savings on milk and sugar——

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is very good, but a bit long.

Mr. Newton

I am afraid that I caught only about one word in three of the hon. Gentleman's question. However, I am happy to assure both the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham) of the Government's continuing commitment to the process of ensuring a fair distribution of Health Service resources around the country. Perhaps I might take this opportunity to add to my reply to my hon. Friend and say that we certainly hope to be able to stick to the targets that have been set for Leicestershire.

Mr. Dorrell

Is my hon. Friend aware that his last comment is very welcome news and adds further to the details that he gave in his earlier answer, which will be widely welcomed in Leicestershire, and which shows the progress towards national average levels of funding for the Health Service? Is he aware that that has had a positive effect in Loughborough, which is now able to make plans to close a late 19th century hospital and a converted workhouse and replace them with a larger, modern institution designed to meet the needs of the 21st century?

Mr. Newton

I am grateful to my hon. Friend and I hope that the message will not be lost on his constituents. It is that the biggest ever modernisation of the Health Service is under way.

Mr. Dobson

If the Minister is so proud of what has happened in Leicestershire, how does he explain the latest hospital waiting list figures, which show that there has been a 28 per cent. increase in the number of people in Leicestershire waiting for an urgent operation? There are no fewer than 891 Leicestershire people waiting for an urgent operation.

Mr. Newton

The hon. Gentleman will know that those figures pre-date the initiative that the Government have launched, that we have set in hand a major programme to reduce waiting lists and that we have put £50 million of new money behind that programme.

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