§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent her Department takes account of(a) activity levels and (b) information on outcomes in assessing its funding requirements.
§ Mr. Jack ThompsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what account she takes in determining the total expenditure on health care of international comparisons of health care spending as a proportion of gross domestic product; and what guidance she gives on the appropriate percentage that should be spent on medical and nursing salaries, administration salaries and costs, building maintenance and pharmaceuticals.
§ Mr. SackvilleA number of factors are taken into account in setting the overall level of funding available to the national health service, including the health benefits of758W increased activity, other developments and affordability. We will continue to achieve the best possible value from the record sums of money now spent in the NHS; spending in other countries with different health care systems is not relevant to decisions on funding the NHS.
It is the responsibility of health care providers within the NHS to determine how best to deploy the resources which they earn from NHS contracts, to meet the requirements of purchasers and to achieve the maximum benefit for patients.