§ 13. Mr. David Borrow (South Ribble)What was the average annual real-terms percentage increase in funding for NHS hospitals between 1979 and 1997; and what is the equivalent figure planned for the next three years. [57362]
§ 14. Mr. Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley)What was the average annual real-terms percentage increase in funding for hospitals in the NHS between 1979 and 1997; and what is the equivalent figure for the next three years. [57363]
§ The Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Frank Dobson)During the years 1979–80 to 1997–98, the annual average real-terms increase in NHS total net expenditure in England was 3.1 per cent. On 14 July, I announced the Government's investment of an extra £21 billion in the NHS—an average of 4.7 per cent. above inflation over the next three years. Next year's allocation, which was announced today, will mean an extra £9.7 million for the health service in South Lancashire and £12.5 million in Northumberland.
§ Mr. BorrowI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, which demonstrates the Labour Government's commitment to the NHS. I am concerned that residents of South Ribble have to wait 18 months for drug rehabilitation treatment. The Government have announced an extra £12 million for drug advisory services next year. Will my right hon. Friend join me in urging South Lancashire health authority to give a higher priority to drug services? Reducing the waiting lists would have beneficial effects for the health service and important implications for crime.
§ Mr. DobsonWe have included some earmarked funds to deal with drug treatment over-subscription and drug misuse. I hope that that will benefit my hon. Friend's area.
§ Mr. CampbellIs my right hon. Friend aware that Stephen Thornton, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has described the level of investment in the health service as beyond his wildest dreams? How many more wonderful dreams does my right hon. Friend have up his sleeve for the health service?
§ Mr. DobsonI have been called all sorts of things, but I have never been called a conjurer—so far. I am not sure that I have much left up my sleeve, or even up my right hon. Friend the Chancellor's sleeve—he has a rather more important sleeve than I do. When various pointy-headed academics, those on the Opposition Front Bench and the Liberal party were demanding an average increase over the next three years of 3 per cent., we came up with 4.7 per cent., but standards of courtesy have fallen so low that they never thanked us for it.
§ Mr. Shaun Woodward (Witney)The Secretary of State's announcement of more money for the health service is welcome to every hon. Member, but in Oxfordshire there is real concern about how much of the money will find its way into the local health service. At the Radcliffe infirmary, waiting lists for day in-patient treatment have risen by 119 per cent. in the past 18 months. At the Nuffield Orthopaedic hospital, only four people waited more than 12 months 18 months ago; today that figure has risen to 137 people. I have written four times to the Secretary of State on behalf of my constituents about the impending closure of Burford hospital, without receiving any replies. Will the Secretary of State take the opportunity to reassure my constituents that he will not close a single bed in Witney and that he will save Burford from closure until he does something to reduce the calamitous rise of waiting lists in Oxfordshire?
§ Mr. DobsonThe hon. Gentleman knows well that I shall eventually have to adjudicate on the propositions 143 being put forward by Oxfordshire health authority. I am prohibited from announcing my decisions until I have reached them, because I have to be fair to everyone. Today I met a delegation with the right hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) about one of the community hospitals in Oxfordshire. Other delegations are coming to see me. I shall listen carefully to them. My officials will confirm that, sometimes to their chagrin, I do not always agree with the proposals that are put to me. It will help that Oxfordshire will be receiving £22.5 million extra next year in order to provide services. Not every delay in Oxfordshire is to do with funding; some of it is to do with the way in which things are run.
§ Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove)May I anticipate the right hon. Gentleman's response to my question by welcoming any new money that his Government are proposing to spend on Worcestershire health authority? Whatever that new amount may be, will it be enough to stop cuts that his Government are imposing on Worcestershire? Will it be enough to keep open the 144 accident and emergency department at the Alexandra Healthcare NHS trust hospital in the constituency of his hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith)? Will it be enough to keep open the Kidderminster general hospital in the constituency of his hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Lock)? If there is not enough money to keep hospitals and A and E departments open, then it simply is not enough.
§ Mr. DobsonI am glad to discover that at least one Conservative Member wants to be even more reckless than we are with public funds. She knows that proposals for changes in services in Worcestershire must come to me for decision. I shall announce my decision when I have taken it. The £18.2 million extra that Worcestershire will receive as a result of today's announcement ought to improve services and the performance of everybody in the county. That should benefit the people whom the hon. Lady represents. During debates on the next Finance Bill, I trust that she will be putting her feet where her mouth is and voting with us in the Lobby for the money that we are providing.