HC Deb 06 June 1995 vol 261 cc35-6W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the reasons for changes she proposes in the system of weighted capitation of expenditure on purchase of health care, or treatment, by district health authorities for the year 1996–97; what options for additional sums to be paid to them have been considered; from where they will come; and by what date representations should be received concerning her proposals. [26384]

Mr. Sackville

The principle of resource allocation to health authorities is weighted capitation and a modified formula was announced in October 1994 following a major review. The modified formula will be used as the basis of allocations to health authorities, subject to the enactment of the Health Authorities Bill, in 1996–97.

The formula is kept under continuous review in the light of comments from health authorities and others and some possible refinements are currently under consideration. Changes to the formula are self-financing: they increase the weighted population share of some health authorities and reduce that of others.