HC Deb 16 January 1991 vol 183 cc514-5W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amount he estimates each district health authority and special health authority in Wales should be able to achieve in 1990–91 and 1991–92 in respect of (a) efficiency savings, (b) cuts in services and (c) income generation and list the factors he has taken into account in estimating a figure that reflects local circumstances in each district health authority.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

The 1990–91 cash-releasing cost improvement and income generation targets set for district health authorities in Wales and the Welsh Health Common Services Authority are shown in the table. In 1991–92, these authorities collectively will be expected to realise £11 million from cost improvement and income generation. The targets to be achieved by individual health authorities will depend on their recurring revenue allocations. These are currently being determined and should be announced shortly.

Individual targets are the subject of bilateral discussions with health authorities. They are expected to be achieved by genuine efficiency savings and additional income generated, and not by making cuts in services. The Welsh Office has issued clear guidance to health authorities that cost improvement measures should not result in a reduction in the quantity or standard of service provided. Authorities' costs improvement programmes are closely monitored to ensure that they do have an adverse effect on the pattern or provision of services.

The Health Promotion Authority for Wales has a target figure of £67,000 in 1990–91 for the generation of additional net income. A target for 1991–92 has not yet been set. Targets for cost improvement are not set for the authority.

Cash-releasing cost improvement and income generation targets for district health authorities in Wales and the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, 1990–91
Health authority Cash improvement target Income generation target
(£000s) (£000s)
Clwyd 1,282 231
East Dyfed 824 149
Gwent 1,518 274
Gwynedd 761 137
Mid Glamorgan 1,776 321
Pembrokeshire 312 57
Powys 367 66
South Glamorgan 2,079 372
West Glamorgan 1,312 237
Welsh Health Common Services Authority 94 17