§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the changes in the demand for specialist physiotherapy to treat sufferers with work-related upper limb disorders; and what plans he has to increase the level of funding for this work; [33843]
(2) what has been the annual expenditure on NHS physiotherapy in each of the last five years; and what were these figures as a percentage of the total level of NHS expenditure. [33844.]
§ Mr. BowisThe number of people affected by upper limb disorders, or repetitive strain injury as it is also known, is apparently increasing and we are encouraging physiotherapists working in this field to update their practice in line with current thinking and research into the condition.
In the 10-year period from 1982–83 to 1992–93, revenue expenditure on physiotherapy services in England increased by 79 per cent. to £232.4 million, as part of the general increase in funding for the NHS. The figures on the annual expenditure of NHS physiotherapy by health authorities and NHS trusts and their percentage of the total operational hospital and community health care expenditure are shown in the table.
Expenditure on physiotherapy by health authorities and NHS trusts in England and as a per cent, of total operational hospital and community health services expenditure Physiotherapy expenditure £000 Physiotherapy expenditure as a per cent, of total HCHS expenditure 1989–90 138,896 1.02 1990–91 147,806 1.00 1991–92 204,714 1.09 1992–93 232,393 1.16 1993–94 252,935 1.23 Notes:
1. HCHS abbreviates hospitals and community health services.
2. The figures for 1991–92 onwards are not strictly comparable with those for earlier years due to changes in accounting practice associated with the introduction of the internal market, including the introduction of capital charges.
Source:
1. The annual financial returns of regional and district health authorities and the special health authorities of the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.
756W2. The annual financial returns of NHS trusts.
3. The annual accounts of regional and district health authorities and the special health authorities of the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.