§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his plans with regard to the current resource allocation formula for distributing resources to health authorities in Wales. [19566]
§ Mr. HagueI intend to review the formula that is used to distribute resources between health authorities. Its aim will be to test, and, where possible, improve on, the existing approach and to ensure that resources are distributed to health authorities in the most effective and equitable way.
The review will examine the current weighted capitation formula, and, in doing so, will cover a number of issues including the incorporation of new resources of data that may improve our understanding of the relative health need of authorities, whether the current formula adequately reflects the geographical differences between areas, and whether it would be appropriate to take account of new factors.
The review will be led by a resource allocation working group consisting of members of the Welsh Office Health Department, health professional group and health statistics and analysis unit. Health authorities, trusts and GPs will be invited to play a full part in the review through membership of the working group. The group will also seek expert opinions and advice from across the service and other UK health departments as necessary. I expect the working group to report in November this year and to feed its results into the allocation process for 1998–99.