HC Deb 27 October 1987 vol 121 cc156-7
6. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement regarding health inequalities in and between regions in England and Wales.

Mr. Moore

It has always been one of the principal aims of the National Health Service to ensure that services are equally available to all who are in equal need and considerable progress has been made since 1977–78 in ironing out long-standing inequalities in health provision between regions.

Mr. Lloyd

The right hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that almost all experts disagree with his view that progress has been made. The reality is that my constituents and others in the northern region stand a much higher chance of ill health and of dying early than do those in the more fortunate regions. Given that background, and given that every Member of Parliament from the North-West has files bulging with cases of failures of social service provision, why did the north-west region recently say that it would accept service reductions from the district health authorities to balance the budget? If the right hon. Gentleman does not wish to comment on that matter now, will he accept my challenge to come to the north-west and debate the failure of the Health Service in that region so that the public can make up its mind on the matter?

Mr. Moore

I shall correct the misimpression given by the hon. Gentleman about NHS progress in his region as against the country generally. Since 1977–78, the RAWP reallocation, to the advantage of the northern region, has progressed from the point where its resources were 9 per cent. below target to being currently 2 per cent. below target. As opposed to the appalling collapse in the capital programme under the last Labour Government, the region now has the second largest capital receipt programme. Its citizens are benefiting from the RAWP reallocation undertaken by this Government.

Mr. McCrindle

Has the time not arrived to reconsider the allocation of resources to the four Thames health regions? Whereas in 1977–78 it could be said that facilities in the four regions were ahead of those in the rest of the country, that is no longer the case, and unless there is an increase in resources for the four Thames health regions, patient care is ultimately bound to suffer?

Mr. Moore

My hon. Friend will know that I have been a London Member for many years. I am somewhat conscious of what he said when I look at the relative data throughout the country. The RAWP programme ensures that service provision is equalised throughout the country. I recognise what my hon. Friend said to the extent that the RAWP formula is currently under review.

Mrs. Clwyd

Does the Minister dispute all the evidence that we now have a two-nation divide in health as well as in wealth?

Mr. Moore

I sometimes wonder whether the hon. Lady and other Opposition Members might consider what they say in regard to the relative comparators between our country and the rest. The hon. Lady may not be aware that health—[Interruption.]The answer will come in proper time. The hon. Lady may not be aware that health inequalities are less significant in the United Kingdom than in most other Western countries, including the United States, Japan and France. That is the reality of the relative lack of inequality. The question related to equality in the provision of services. RAWP is seeking to do precisely that.

Sir Peter Emery

Will my right hon. Friend most seriously consider the inequalities that arise specifically in areas where there is a large retired and aged population and where doctors must spend much more time dealing with the elderly? Perhaps hip operations can be dealt with in the private and public sectors to relieve the specific problems that the elderly face in such areas.

Mr. Moore

My hon. Friend made an important point. I have been particularly conscious of it when I have looked at the concept of the primary health care review. I hope that I shall be able to assist in that direction.