§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his assessment of the ability of the NHS to deal with seasonal demand pressures this winter [13238]
§ Mr. BoatengWe have made clear that the first priority of health authorities and National Health Service trusts, above all other, is to make adequate provision for emergency care. Health authorities, NHS trusts and local authority social services departments around the country are working hard to prepare for this winter. The Government has made available an additional £269 million for the NHS in England in the current year to help in this task. In addition in 1998–99 there will be a . per cent. real terms increase in general revenue allocations to health authorities, the largest for five years.