§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in how many cases there has been a change of use, from standardised mandatory ratios to social deprivation factors, as the criterion in resource allocation working party allocations of health funding to health authorities; in how many cases such authorities gained extra funding; and in how many cases they lost funding;
(2) in how many cases the resource allocation working party criteria for analysing resource levels have been changed from standardised mortality ratios to social deprivation factors; what has been the change in funding allocation in each health authority case so affected; how many health authorities have gained and how many lost as a result; what appeals have been made against such reassessments; and with what results.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur method of calculating regional target allocations when we are making decisions about the allocation of resources to regional health authorities follows the recommendations of the resource allocation working party (RAWP). We have not changed our practice of using standardised mortality ratios.
Regions follow the broad principles set out by RAWP in calculating their district target allocations, but they also take account of local factors. I understand that at least one regional health authority includes information about social deprivation in calculating district target allocations. In making allocations to districts, RHAs have regard to their strategic objectives including progress towards equality of access to health services for patients according to clinical need which is the prime aim of the RAWP philosophy. So the method of calculating the target need not itself have an effect on the allocation to a health authority. We do not collect information centrally about district health authorities' appeals to RHAs against the method of calculating their target allocations and/or the amount of allocations actually made, nor about the outcome of any such appeals.
It would be a mistake to devote too much attention to the intricate technical details of a formula which is used as an important factor, but not the only factor, in allocating resources according to the plans and needs of the service and its patients.