§ 13. Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consequences he expects from the introduction of funding district health authorities by residents in 1991–92.
§ Mr. FreemanDistricts that send more patients for treatment outside their boundaries than they receive will have an increase in their funding in 1991–92 to enable them to pay, through contracting, for such services. In the first year, we expect that existing patterns of service will be broadly unaltered.
§ Mr. CoombsIn welcoming that important part of the Government's health proposals, may I ask my hon. Friend to confirm that they will benefit efficient districts such as Kidderminster, which attracts patients from outside, will next year give £90 million extra to the West Midlands 774 regional health authority and, most importantly, moll increase competition, efficiency and use of the Health Service for all those patients who most need it?
§ Mr. FreemanI am grateful to my hon. Friend for those comments. An additional fact that represents a change from the earlier working papers on the Health Service reforms is that from 1991–92 the first step in weighted capitation will commence in relation to allocations by regions to districts.