§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what account is taken by his Department of indices of deprivation(a) in allocating funds to regional health authorities and (b) in setting the guidelines for the allocation of funds by regional health authorities to district health authorities; what indices of deprivation are approved by his Department for this purpose; and how they are compiled.
§ Mr. DorrellThe formula used for making allocations based on weighted capitation to RHAs makes no use of indices of deprivation. The formula does, however, use standardised mortality ratios as an indicator of the relative health of regional populations.
We are currently analysing regional proposals for implementing weighted capitation at district level and will be drawing up a national policy on the formula to be used, including any factors for the weighting of deprivation.