§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 November, concerning criteria for determining the number of beds per unit of population provided by district health services, what is the basis of his determination of the allocation of(a) revenue and (b) capital expenditure derived from public or private funds. [3355]
§ Mr. HoramAllocation of hospital and community health services revenue to health authorities is determined by a national weighted capitation formula. Its aim is to enable health authorities to purchase similar levels of health services for resident populations in similar need.
A proportion of publicly provided capital is allocated to trusts to provide for the maintenance of their existing estate and routine replacement of equipment. Proposals for new capital schemes have to be supported by a business case which must demonstrate that private finance has been fully considered. Where private finance is not best value for money public funds can be made available.