§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his definition is of (a) a health community and(b) health economy. [47833]
136WEstimated total average earnings for speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists and healthcare pharmacists taken from the Department's August 1998, 1999 and 2000 survey are shown in the following table. Similar information for earlier years is not available centrally but advance letters issued to the NHS containing information about the national pay rates for these staff from 1991 to 1997 have been placed in the Library together with the gender breakdown information available for the three professions for the same years. As part of the negotiated settlement of their equal pay claims, a new improved pay and grade structure for speech and language therapists was introduced in May 2000 to take effect from 1 April 2000. The regradings are not likely to have been in place by August 2000 and will not be reflected in the figures in the table.
§ Mr. HuttonThe terms "health economy" and "health community" can be used to describe all statutory and voluntary organisations in one area with an interest in local health service delivery and tackling health inequalities.
The term "health economy" can be used to refer to financial relationships between local health service providers and other key stakeholders. The term "health community" encompasses all local groups and individuals with an interest in all aspects of the health of a local community, including the wider determinants of health. This may include patient groups, carers, primary care trusts, local authorities, voluntary and community groups and the private sector.