§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how far he seeks to monitor changes in real unit costs in the National Health Service.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur Department monitors broad changes in real unit costs in the hospital and community health services as part of its national programme budget analysis. The results are reported each year to the Select Committee on Social Services, and are usually published in conjunction with its report. The set of performance indicators for individual hospitals and districts published in September 1983 also included unit costs as part of the financial indicators; this information relates to the financial year 1981–82 and enables comparison to be made for that year between different parts of the country. As yet no time series have been included, but performance indicators are still being developed and we have set up a joint NHS/DHSS group to advise on a refined set intended for publication next year.