§ 3. Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)If he will make a statement on primary care in Leicestershire. [38673]
The Minister of State, Department of HealthIn December, we published our White Paper "The New NHS", which sets out our proposals to develop a modern health service. In February, Leicestershire health authority issued a discussion document setting out the primary care locality arrangements in the county and suggested proposals for how those arrangements may evolve towards primary care groups.
§ Mr. RobathanThe Minister must be aware that the Government are underfunding the NHS in 130 Leicestershire—as compared with other areas—this year by about 3 per cent., or £13.4 million. In primary care, that is leading to disputes among general practitioners over scarce resources. As a direct result of the capitation-based approach to resource allocation, GP services in south Leicestershire will deteriorate. What would the Minister say to my constituents in Countesthorpe and elsewhere, where hospital waiting lists are higher this year than they were last, and where GP services are worsening owing to his Government's policies?
§ Mr. MilburnFrankly, I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has raised that issue. This morning, I inquired about the position with the health authority, and I can tell him that GPs in his area are set to gain from the changes, just as the health authority has gained today following my right hon. Friend's announcement of an extra £4.8 million to tackle waiting lists.
§ Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield)Is not Leicestershire—like so many other parts of the country—doing extremely well under the new Government? Is it not important that Leicestershire and other health authorities should use the 50th anniversary year of the NHS not only to look back to their achievements but to look forward to what a dynamic and innovative health service can do for the citizens of Leicestershire—and do it better than ever before?
§ Mr. MilburnMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have a heaven-sent opportunity in this, the 50th anniversary year, to look to the future and to produce a modern and dependable health service which is properly resourced and engages all family doctors, community nurses and all staff in providing an excellent service day in, day out. That is a sentiment we ought to hear from Opposition as well as Labour Members.
Mr. Edward Gamier (Harborough)May I cautiously invite the Minister not to spend too much time or Government money on celebrating the anniversary of the NHS, but to make sure that there is sufficient provision within it to assist those who need it? As we are talking about Leicestershire, will he assure me that the new dispensation under his glorious Government will provide sufficient funds for physiotherapy services for my constituency? We are satisfied with our GP provision—we have a number of excellent practices—but, in Harborough, we are short of physiotherapists. Will the Minister assure me on that matter?
§ Mr. MilburnI am not sure whether the hon. and learned Gentleman has seen the light or not, but I will take his remark as a compliment. Physiotherapists, and therapists generally, provide an important service to the NHS. It is important to acknowledge that, in some parts of the country, there are problems in recruiting physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Unlike the previous Government. we will not sweep the problems under the carpet. We are doing what we can to tackle them—particularly by providing more training facilities and grants for those who want to take up that profession inside the NHS.