HC Deb 12 December 1996 vol 287 cc318-9W
Sir Irvine Patnick

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the total funding available for Sheffield health authority and (b) the increase in funding that has been allocated to Sheffield health authority for 1997–98; if he will express this in percentage terms above inflation; if this funding can be used for the city's hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement. [8298]

Mr. Horam

In 1997–98 Sheffield health authority will receive an integrated allocation of £270.5 million, a cash increase of £9 million—3.45 per cent.—which represents a real terms growth of £3.7 million—1.42 per cent.

In 1997–98 Sheffield health authority will receive a general allocation of £257.2 million, a cash increase of £8.4 million—3.38 per cent.—which represents a real terms growth of £3.4 million—1.35 per cent.

This is indeed funding which can be used for Sheffield's hospital trusts. It is for individual health authorities to decide the level and type of services purchased, in partnership with general practitioners locally.