§ Mr. SymsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money was put into the NHS to help deal with the 1998–99 winter pressures; when this money was made available; and what it was spent on. [67375]
§ Mr. DenhamAn extra £250 million (£209 million for England) was announced in November to help the National Health Service and social services manage this winter's pressures, £159 million of which was made available immediately in England. £50 million was held as a central contingency fund, £44 million of which has been allocated in January to relieve particular pressure points.
The additional moneys have funded well over 2,000 projects to manage emergency admissions and maximise bed availability, including many joint NHS/social service schemes aimed at providing appropriate support for patients in the community.