HC Deb 25 February 1986 vol 92 cc520-1W
24. Mr. Nicholas Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on regional inequalities in National Health Service provision.

Mr. Hayhoe

The Government remain committed to the principle of redistributing resources across the country as recommended by the resource allocation working party in order to secure equal access to health care for working people in equal need. Very considerable progress has been made, and in 1986–87 all regions except North East and North West Thames will be within 4 per cent. of their target shares of resources.

As regions come close to their targets it is increasingly important that those targets should reflect relative need as fairly as possible. It is for this reason that my right hon. Friend has asked the NHS management board to take the lead in reviewing the operation of the RAWP formula and looking at the scope for improvement.