§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What costs the National Health Service incurred in 1986–87 for (i) treating patients and (ii) administration.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)The summarised accounts of regional and district health authorities in England for 1986–87 record revenue expenditure of £9,882.5 million1680WA incurred on direct patient care services, ambulance services and on associated support services (for example, catering, domestic and laundry services, etc).
In addition, those summarised accounts show current expenditure of £434.7 million on regional and district headquarters administration. Such expenditure includes the headquarters costs of vital management and support functions such as finance, planning, supplies procurement, personnel, computer services, etc., which ensure the provision of patient treatment services at hospital and unit level; but not the administration costs at hospital and unit level, which are regarded as operational.