§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the effect on each health region of the cessation of the resources allocation working party system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe arrangements set out in the White Paper "Working for Patients" meet the need to replace RAWP with a simpler method of allocating resources. They retain however the broad principle of relating funding to population; and they will ensure hospitals are funded directly and quickly for treating patients from other regions. The effect of the change will therefore be dominated by population changes and general growth in resources over the next three years; and will be influenced by the arrangements regions negotiate with each other to pay for cross-boundary flows. The pace of change will be carefully managed.