§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what review funding allocation is taking place within his Department as to the cost of research and training by teaching hospital within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe service increment for teaching (SIFT) will be payable to teaching hospitals to cover the excess costs they incur as a result of supporting undergraduate medical education and research. The level of SIFT was last reviewed in 1988 by the then NHS management board as part of its review of the resource allocation working party formula. We intend to implement in 1990–91 the recommendation, arising from that review, that SIFT should be increased to meet, on average, 100 per cent. of the excess costs of teaching hospitals. The scope and distribution of SIFT will be reviewed again within three years.