Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions have been issued to regional health authorities to ensure fair distribution of resources within the regions based on weighted capitation.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe planning guidance for 1992–93 gave regional health authorities discretion to use their judgment about the precise distribution of funds which suits their districts' needs, based on their analysis of local information. The guidance for 1993–94 was published in FDL(92)113 which states
Regions will therefore be asked to report on their planned deployment of the 1993–94 allocation and in particular to demonstrate clear progress towards equalisation. The pace of such progress and whether it should be achieved by reducing resources allocated to districts above their capitation share is a matter for invidual regions to judge in the light of local circumstances.Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.