§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department makes each year of the likely changes in numbers by region of children needing health services who are born mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellResponsibility for assessing the likely health service needs of the local population including children with learning disabilities (mental handicap) rests with individual district health authorities. The Department is, however, currently funding a research project led by Professor Alberman of the London hospital medical school to predict the incidence and prevalence of severe learning disability. It is hoped that this will lead to guidance which will assist authorities in the planning of local health, social and educational services over the next 30 years.
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§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what weight is given in determining levels of funding to health authorities to the numbers of people moving into and out of an area in each year who are mentally handicapped adults and children; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellRegional health authority allocations are calculated by means of a weighted capitation formula which takes as its starting point the region's projected resident population for the year of allocation. The latest available figures, provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, are used in the formula. The projections data are based on the 1981 census and represent OPCS's estimate of population changes since then, together with assumptions for future mortality, fertility and migration. No specific allowance is made for the number of mentally handicapped people moving into and out of an area in each year.