§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been withdrawn from health services in inner London since May 1979; how many beds have been closed; and what reduction there has been in total staff, ancillary staff, nursing staff and medical staff.
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§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 31]: If "Inner London" is defined for this purpose as the four former area health authorities (Teaching) of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster; Camden and Islington; City and East London; Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, there has been an increase of expenditure on hospital and community health services in the three years for which figures are available. There has been some rationalisation of services as the area is in general over-provided with acute beds for its needs but lacking in community services.
In the four "Inner London" AHA(T)s: 1979–80 1981–82* Percentage change Revenue expenditure† (£ million) 632.4 657.8 + 4.0 1979 1981 Average daily number of available beds (all specialities) 20,542 19,460 - 5.3 Total non-medical staff‡ 53,442 55,334 + 3.5 Nursing and Midwifery staff║ 24,034 25,054 + 4.2 Ancilliary staff 13,894 13,622 - 2.0 Notes: * Latest information available. † Figures are at 1981–82 outturn price levels, figures for 1981–82 include the payment of arrears on the July 1980 London Weighting settlement. ‡ All manpower figures are whole-time equivalents and relate to staff employed by the AHA(T)s. Figures for hospital medical staff are aggregated at Regional level and do not correspond to individual AHAs. ║ Excluding agency staff and Health Visitor students. The method of calculation of the whole-time equivalent for nursing and midwifery staff was altered in 1980, so the figures are not strictly comparable.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the extent to which job losses in Hackney brought about by closure of National Health Service premises will affect the local economy.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 31]: Proposals for closure or change of use of health premises in Hackney need to be considered in the light of the construction of the new Homerton hospital and the final effect on employment of the two cannot be finally determined until the formal consultation procedure has been completed. Health authorities are required to use resources, including manpower, as efficiently as possible. The main aim of the hospital service is to provide a steadily improving standard of patient care and the service provides jobs for staff to the extent that is necessary to do that.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what allowance for inflation in regional specialties in City and Hackney district has been made since May 1979.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 31]: The allowance to be made for increases in pay and prices in the revenue allocation of City and Hackney health district is a matter for the North East Thames regional health authority.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been spent on the upgrading and provision of new facilities at St. Leonard's hospital, Hoxton, in the past 10 years.
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§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 31]: This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may like to approach the City and Hackney health authority direct.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that his Department's main programme does not result in disadvantage for inner city areas such as Hackney.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 31]: Yes.