§ Sir Terence HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) to what extent each of the former district health authorities in West Sussex is currently underfunded in both cash and percentage terms in(a) the current financial year and (b) 1996–97; and what is the level of underfunding of the two most underfunded health authorities elsewhere in the United Kingdom; [15404]
(2) what plans he has to implement his policy of ensuring that from 1 April 1996 all health authorities in the South Thames region will be broadly within 5 per cent. of their target share. [15402]
§ Mr. HoramThe planned 1996–97 allocations will bring all health authorities within the former South Thames regional health authority within 5 per cent. of their weighted capitation targets.
For 1996–97 there is only a single planned weighted capitation target for the new West Sussex health authority and it is under target by 4.8 per cent. or £15.8 million. In 1996–97 the two most under-target health authorities in England are South Essex at 7.7 per cent. or £22.8 million and North Essex at 6.4 per cent. or £23.0 million.
In 1995–96 Mid Downs was 5.7 per cent. or £6.1 million below target Chichester 7.9 per cent. or £6.5 million and Worthing 13.0 per cent. or £15.7 million.