§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to match for Scotland the increase in funding for HIV-AIDS treatment in 1997–98 made by the Department of Health in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [4213]
§ Mr. Galbraith[holding answer 19 June 1997]: Health Boards were advised in March this year of the funds earmarked for the treatment and care of HIV-AIDS patients in their areas in 1997–98. It is open to individual boards to augment these resources from their general allocations in the light of local circumstances. I am currently assessing whether further action is appropriate.
§ Ms CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the number of HIV-AIDS sufferers receiving treatment (i) by health board area and (ii) in Scotland as a whole; what was the spending per head on treatment and care of HIV-AIDS sufferers (i) by health board area and (ii) in Scotland as a whole, in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [4215]
§ Mr. Galbraith[holding answer 14 June 1997]: Around 1,000 people in Scotland are estimated to be receiving treatment for HIV infection or AIDS. Of this total, some 870 are being treated within the Lothian, Greater Glasgow, Tayside and Grampian Health Board areas. In the current financial year, £9.6 million has been allocated by way of funds earmarked for HIV-AIDS treatment and care. On that basis, expenditure per patient would amount to around £9,600. But that figure does not take into account any additional resources which individual boards may commit from their general allocations.