§ Ms Beverley HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes have been made in the past year to the formula for distribution of NHS money for drug abuse treatment, indicating the impact of such changes on the level of funding in areas of need, with special reference to Old Trafford. [5990]
§ Ms JowellThe formula for distributing the Drug Misuse Special Allocation changed in April 1997. Prior to the current financial year the formula for central allocation was based on that used by the former regional health authorities. From this year, the formula is based on the health authority population aged 15–44, and a further element based on an indicator of need for drug misuse services. The new formula is being phased in over four years, with health authorities receiving their full target allocation from 2001.
The Special Allocation for drug misuse nationally has risen by over 9 per cent. in real terms in 1997–98, and the allocation to Salford and Trafford has increased by around 5 per cent. in real terms. No assessment of the impact of the changes on individual health authorities has been made.