§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the new weighted capitation formula and in what respects it differs from that proposed by the York report; and if she will make a statement on how much the formula is determined by the factor of deprivation. [21753]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe modified weighted capitation formula adjusts populations for age, need—over and above age—and relative costs. This formula has been developed in the light of new information sources and advances in statistical techniques.
There is no index of deprivation in the formula. Instead, it uses two needs indices—one for acute services and the other for psychiatric services—which take account of health and socio-economic factors.
The York report did not propose a weighted capitation formula.