§ Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the percentage increase in funding for the Barnet health authority in 1987–88 over 1986–87; and what were the separate percentage figures for(a) wages and salaries and so on part of this and (b) the remainder.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 12 April 1988]: Allocations to district health authorities are the responsibility of regional health authorities. I understand however that Barnet health authority was, subject to adjustments regarding minor transfers, allocated an estimated increase in funding of 9.95 per cent. between 1986–87 and 1987–88. Funds are not allocated for specific purposes and it is for the health authority to determine how the fund available to it should be spent. My hon. Friend may care to approach the chairman of Barnet health authority for more detailed information.
Staff Number employed whole-lime on cervical cytology Staff employed part-time on cervical cytology Number Whole-time equivalent Pathologists and other medically qualified staff 19 294 67.96 Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers, scientific officers and laboratory cytology screeners 289 900 488.82 Where necessary, laboratories have been recruiting additional staff. The figures above represent a 12 per cent. increase in whole-time equivalent staff employed on cervical cytology over the preceding year end. Increasing the number of staff is only one of the ways in which health authorities can improve the throughput of smear tests and avoid backlogs. Health authorities may also use other laboratories including those in the private sector.