§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has made of changes in the costs of providing NHS treatments and services to elderly people in Scotland(a) over the last 10 years and (b) over the next 10 years. [11041]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe aim for all groups is to secure the most effective package of health and social care services, both in hospital and the community, that meet the specific needs of individuals and where appropriate, their carers.
Assessment of needs for care services for the elderly is primarily a matter for health boards and local authorities. Demographic change has led to the cost of providing NHS care and treatment for this age group increasing over the last 10 years by approximately 1 per cent. a year. On the same basis, the forecast to year 2005–06 is for an increase of about 0.9 per cent. per annum. In practice, these cost pressures will continue to be offset by further improvements in efficiency and quality of care.