§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the real percentage increase in the cost of medical technology to the National Health Service for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. John PattenNo estimate has been made of the costs of medical advance to the NHS as a whole, but the Department has normally assumed that an allowance of ½ per cent. a year for medical advance should be made in the hospital and community health services. However, the extra resources necessary can come from improved efficiency as well as from increased spending; and medical advance creates opportunities for efficiency gains as well as pressure for more resources.
The impact of medical advances on acute hospital provision since the early 1970s was discussed more fully in paragraphs 2. 14–2. 19 of "Health Care and its Costs", a copy of which is in the Library.