§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been spent on improving health provision in Leicester since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonRevenue expenditure in Leicestershire has increased from £59.2 million in 1978–79 to £145.2 million in 1985–86 (the latest centrally available year). This represents an increase of 30 per cent. in real terms. Leicestershire is now substantially better off than in 1979 and is within 4 per cent. of its target share of resources. In cash terms 06.6 million was spent in the district between 1978–79 and 1985–86 on capital projects (£99.2 million at 1985–86 prices).
Since 1979 capital projects at Glenfield general hospital, Leicester general hospital and the Towers hospital have been started and completed. Work is currently under way on the new Coalville community hospital and there are various capital schemes in the process of planning and design at Glenfield, Leicester royal infirmary, Hinckley and Loughborough. Since 1979 in-patient cases have risen from 74,454 to 95,365 in 1985, an increase of 28 per cent; day cases from 10,797 to 22,516, an increase of 109 per cent.; and out-patient attendances from 466,873 to 573,962, an increase of 23 per cent. We have allocated the district an additional £216,700 this year for use in reducing waiting lists. Other developments due to take place this year include the opening of a new bone 430W marrow unit at the royal infirmary, extra nurses for treating cancer patients and improvements in services for drug misusers.