HC Deb 10 January 1990 vol 164 cc661-2W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how, in making his allocations to National Health Service regions for 1990–91, he took into account(a) population, (b) health-related deprivation such as occupation, unemployment and low incomes, (c) standard mortality ratios. (d) morbidity, (e) the needs of the elderly, (f) the needs of the mentally handicapped, and (g) the numbers of adult single-person households both with and without dependants stating in each case the indicators used, and how each indicator was weighted against the others.

Mr. Freeman

The White Paper "Working for Patients" sets out the principles of the new allocation formula. The 1990–91 revenue allocations are based on the new weighted capitation formula, but in such a way that the full redistributive effects are phased over three years to 1992–93. Under the new formula regions receive their main allocations on basis of their resident population, adjusted for morbidity and the relative costs of providing services within each of seven age bandings. Weighted standard mortality ratios (SMRs) for people under 75 years of age are used as measure of relative morbidity (the weighting is achieved by using the square root of the SMR). Allocations also take account of the higher costs of providing services in London by means of allowances for London weighting and market forces, and an additional 3 per cent. for the Thames regions. No other factors are taken into account.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) cross-boundary flow adjustments and (b) any pre-planned adjustments in spending allocation between the Northern National Health Service region and Scotland for each year from 1983, indicating any planned provision of services between the north and Scotland.

Mr. Freeman

There have been no cash adjustments between England and Scotland in respect of patients

Range of basic prices per patient
Average basic price per patient £ Lowest cost practice £ Highest cost practice £ Quarter ending
Cleveland FPC 11.04 3.64 42.40 January 1989
Cumbria FPC 10.28 2.88 19.43 February 1989
Durham FPC 10.95 5.76 18.60 February 1989
Gateshead FPC 10.25 7.68 14.51 December 1988
Newcastle FPC 9.80 2.33 18.03 January 1989
Northumberland FPC 10.39 7.43 16.25 December 1988
North Tyneside FPC 12.35 7.45 22.58 December 1988
South Tyneside FPC 10.81 8.01 13.67 December 1988
Sunderland FPC 11.43 6.93 17.51 February 1989
Cleveland FPC 10.54 5.07 37.72 April 1989
Cumbria FPC 10.65 3.65 20.61 May 1989
Durham FPC 11.42 614 27.98 May 1989
Gateshead FPC 9.96 7.46 13.95 March 1989
Newcastle FPC 9.37 2.13 16.17 April 1989
Northumberland FPC 10.30 7.60 16.35 March 1989
North Tyneside FPC 11.98 3.57 21.60 March 1989
South Tyneside FPC 10.54 7.43 14.29 March 1989
Sunderland FPC 11.85 6.69 17.69 May 1989

Notes:

1. The figures are based on patient list sizes of 500 or more of prescribing doctors within the family practitioner committee. Lists of less than 500 and of dispensing doctors are not included.

crossing the border for treatment. However, Northern RHA has received recognition through the RAWP formula for treating patients from outside England. The amount attributable to Scotland cannot be separately identified centrally.

For the financial year 1990–91, as all regions move towards a simpler funding formula based on resident population, a cost for the net inflow of patients from Scotland has been estimated, and an adjustment made to the RHA's cash limit to cover this cost.

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