Health Boards (Hansard, 26 April 1995)

§ 4. Mr. Donohoe
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the chairmen of the health boards to discuss finance. [19572]

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton)
My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State meets chairmen of health boards regularly to discuss a wide range of strategic issues affecting the national health service in Scotland. Many of those issues may have financial implications. The next meeting will take place on 23 June 1995.

§ Mr. Donohoe
When the Minister meets the chairman of Ayrshire and Arran health board, which has become a trailblazer towards privatisation, will he suggest that its latest proposal to contract out ante-natal clinics at a rumoured £60 per patient will allow the high level of infant mortality in Ayrshire to continue? In those circumstances, the Government stand accused of causing deaths and infant mortality.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
One of the important principles in contracting out services or main contracts by health boards is that the quality of service and standards must be properly maintained. In addition, appropriate costings and accessibility are key factors to influence such decisions. The hon. Gentleman can rest assured that we want to maintain the highest standards and we shall be very concerned if there is any dropping away from them. Health spending in Scotland this year will be more than £4.3 billion, which is 53 per cent. higher than 1979.

§ Mr. John Marshall
Can my hon. Friend tell the House how spending per capita on the NHS in Scotland compares with spending per capita in England? Would he expect that difference to be maintained by an independent Scotland or by a Scottish Assembly?

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
There is a considerable difference between Scotland and England. Spending per capita in Scotland is almost £150 more than in England. This year it will be £798 per head in Scotland, but only £649 in England. If a Scottish Parliament were established with tax-raising powers, I believe that the extra cost of that would have an impact on other key services in Scotland.

§ Dr. Godman
In response to what the Minister said about wide-ranging issues with financial implications, the Argyll and Clyde health board is in one hell of a mess over its hospital closure and reprovision programme. The families of patients in the Merchiston, Bridge of Weir and Ravenscraig hospitals are deeply concerned about dilatoriness on the part of the health board. I would not trust that outfit with the management of an ice cream cart or running a menage.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
Before any hospital closure can occur, there must be full consultation. Proposals must go to my right hon. Friend and to the Minister of State, and they would be considered in the greatest detail. The hon. Gentleman's representations and those of his constituents would be carefully borne in mind.

§ Mrs. Ray Michie
When the Minister meets health board chairmen, will he tell them how he proposes to tackle the significant shortage of doctors in specialties such as anaesthetics, orthodontics and particularly urology? Is the Minister aware of the critical situation in the many trust hospitals which are unable to fill vacant posts? Whether that is due to mismatching or mismanagement, there is no doubt that the shortage of specialists is contributing to longer waiting lists.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
The hon. Lady touches on the important point that medical demands and technology are changing. In accordance with consumer demand, we must make certain of the necessary number of general practitioners, which has increased 19 per cent. since 1979. The number of consultants has risen 20 per cent. and the number of nurses by 18 per cent. since 1979. Waiting times have fallen and more people are receiving treatment. There has also been increased investment in improving hospitals. The hon. Lady is right to say that we must consider the problems of the future. Many of the old diseases such as typhoid are with us no longer to the same degree as in the past, and we must adapt to changing circumstances.