§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out for each year since 1982, what changes have been made in the National Health Service 886W budget by Oldham district health authority in order to achieve savings; how much was saved each year by each, of these changes; by how much staffing has been cut in each year as a result of each of these changes, and in what grades; and what plans there are for the current year in each of these respects.
§ Mr. NewtonOn the basis of provisional figures for 1986–87 Oldham health authority's expenditure has risen since 1982–83 by 26.2 per cent., or nearly 6 per cent. in real terms. Between 1982 and 1986 the number of front line staff rose by nearly 7 per cent. These increases, together with an improved use of resources which is greatly to the credit of management and staff, made possible increases of 14 per cent. in the number of in-patient cases treated, 92 per cent. in day cases, 14 per cent. in out patient attendances and 22 per cent. in day attendances.
It is the responsibility of the Oldham health authority to manage its budget allocation to meet its policy objectives and maximise the effectiveness and efficiency with which its resources are used for the benefit of patients. The hon. Member may, therefore, wish to approach the chairman of the Oldham health authority for details of changes in services, the levels of activity to which they relate and any redeployment of moneys released by such changes.