§ 41. Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that the present formula for the distribution of financial resources deprives hospitals of their proper allocation in areas where there is a high proportion of teaching hospitals, and that the South-East Thames health area is so affected, he will provide funds to alleviate this situation and to reduce the long waiting lists for hospital beds which at present exist in that area.
§ Mr. EnnalsIt has not been found practicable to devise a formula for distribution of resources to individual hospitals. This is a matter for decision by the responsible health authority in the light of local circumstances and competing demands. Allocations to area and regional health authorities in England are influenced by a quantified assessment of relative need for resources following a formula recommended by the Resource Allocation Working Party: but they are finally determined by a subjective judgment which takes account of this assessment and of other factors. Allocations include, however, a service increment for teaching related to numbers of medical and dental students in recognition of the inescapable additional costs of providing facilities for clinical education.
The South-East Thames region is shown by the quantified assessment to have been receiving substantially more than its objective share of the resources available nationally, but, having in mind considerations such as those mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, I have nevertheless allowed the region a small increase in its revenue allocation in 1977–78 and again this year.