§ Q4. Dr. Evan Harris (Oxford, West and Abingdon)What assessment he has made of health and social services in Oxfordshire.
§ The Prime MinisterClearly, Oxfordshire is benefiting from the substantial investment in health and social services. For 2002–03, Oxfordshire has received more than £445 million, an increase of more than £41 million on last year's allocation. As for social services, the funding this year is £86 million. Local health and social services managers are working together, including pooling budgets, to find solutions to current issues.
§ Dr. HarrisIs the right hon. Gentleman happy that in each of the past six years of his Government the most vulnerable users of social services have suffered cuts, and now all the strategic authorities in the southern region are projecting a mid-year deficit of £230 million? What should the new growth money this year be spent on—paying off deficits or new front-line services? It cannot be both.
§ The Prime MinisterThe integrity of the services is the primary concern, but—I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to say this—during the past few years Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS trust has had 250 a new 54-bed trauma centre costing £9 million; there will be a major development of acute services, which is a £200 million scheme; it has received almost £1 million for additional accident and emergency nurses; and it is receiving an additional £2 million to secure additional capacity on delayed discharges. An extra £9 million has also been allocated by the trust for accident and emergency redevelopment.