HC Deb 24 January 1978 vol 942 cc541-2W
Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the central Government expenditure on the National Health Service is for 1977–78; and what proportion is going to the North-Western Regional Health Authority.

Mr. Moyle

Estimated expenditure on the National Health Service in 1977–78 is £5,577 million. Of this, £188 million is on services which are financed centrally and is not attributable to a particular region.

The capital and revenue cash limits notified to the North Western Regional Health Authority for hospital and community health services, from which the regional health authority makes allocations to the area health authorities, and for regional services, together with the estimated expenditure on the family practitioner services in the region, represents 8.6 per cent. of central expenditure on these services and 8.3 per cent. of total expenditure on the National Health Service.

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what administrative duties he considers are better performed at regional level within the National Health Service.

Mr. Ennals

The functions of the 14 regional health authorities (RHAs) include the formulation within national guidelines of regional strategic plans guidance of area health authorities (AHAs), allocation of resources to their AHAs and monitoring the performance of AHAs in achieving agreed plans. RHAs also have some direct executive function which for the sake of economy are better organised on a larger scale than could be done by individual AHAs—for example, the management of the blood transfusion service. Authorities within each region have, however, reviewed the extent to which greater delegation to area and district levels might be possible.

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what administrative duties he considers are better performed at area level within the National Health Service.

Mr. Ennals

Area health authorities are responsible for planning, within regional and national guidelines, and developing and managing the full range of health services for the communities within their area.