§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made with the chairmen of the South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan and Gwent health authorities concerning a smoothing mechanism to operate after 1 April in respect of the new budgeting system and the new charging system for cross-border flows of patients to hospitals and clinics.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettThe 1991–92 revenue allocations to district health authorities in Wales take account of the cost of maintaining cross-boundary flows of patients 289W within the new contractual framework. It is therefore expected that the initial contracts to run from 1 April 1991 will provide for the maintenance of these flows. However, in subsequent years, as the contracting process rolls forward, authorities will have the opportunity of reviewing the existing pattern of services in the light of services available elsewhere and the progressive transition of revenue funding towards weighted capitation formula shares. Authorities were recently consulted about the structure and implementation of a weighted capitation formula and my right hon. Friend plans to make an announcement shortly about its introduction.