§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines are issued by his Department for the allocation of capitation weighted funding to hospices outside a health authority's geographic area; [41978]
2) if he will make a statement on the relationship between capitation weighted funding for hospices by health authorities and the cost of core services provided by these hospices. [41979]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department issues guidance to health authorities and total purchasing pilot general practice fundholders on the purchase of hospice and palliative care services. The Department does not issue specific guidance on the use of general allocations for this purpose as this is a matter for local determination.
The weighted capitation formula is used to inform allocations to health authorities for hospital and community health services. The national formula uses forecast resident population adjusted for age, relative health need and the geographical variation in the cost of providing services.
It is then for health authorities to purchase health care for their resident population taking account of local circumstances and characteristics, and within the framework of national policies and priorities.