HC Deb 24 November 1987 vol 123 c159W
22. Mr. Hinchcliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that under the present arrangements for the membership of district health authorities the interests of patients are properly represented.

Mrs. Currie

Yes. District health authorities are composed of people drawn from the local community they serve and from a range of relevant backgrounds. In addition, community health councils, which represent the interests of the public locally, may send observers to health authority meetings and are consulted by health authorities on proposed major services changes.

59. Mr. John Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the amount of finance available to district health authorities for the current year; and if he will make a statement.

86. Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the amount of finance available to district health authorities for the current year; and if he will make a statement.

108. Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the amount of finance available to district health authorities for the current year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

We have no plans to do so. Health authorities received cash increases averaging 5.7 per cent. at the beginning of the year. Additional funds were subsequently provided to help meet the cost of review body awards. Three of the Thames regions have received additional funds in recognition of the exceptional extra demands they face in providing services for people with AIDS. As a result, the total increase in provision now stands at 8.4 per cent. This is equivalent to growth in real terms of 3.7 per cent.

117. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to ensure that the redistribution of funds by regional health authorities to district authorities has been done in a fair and equitable way; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 16 November at column438.