HC Deb 14 November 1997 vol 300 cc693-4W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions were held in respect of the capitation funding system for health and social services boards; and what criteria governed its formulation. [15042]

Mr. Worthington

The Capitation Formula Review Group, which is an expert group comprising Departmental and Board officers held a range of meetings, and engaged in extensive work, including specific research on Northern Ireland data, before producing its recommendations on the way forward.

The Review Group worked to a specific set of criteria to ensure that the revised formula would: be based on sound methodology; be a fair and equitable method of allocating resources: be based primarily on the requirement to take account of the differing levels of need for health and personal social services between resident Board populations; be sensitive to Targeting Health and Social Need (THSN); be capable of amendment and further refinement as improvements take place in information sources and the knowledge based on resource allocation; be based on factors and/or weights which have a basis in evidence; focus on allocations to the total resident populations and should not constrain the development of a formula for allocating resources to GP Fundholders; address the inescapable cost differentials for urban-rural areas; as far as possible, take account of the impact of cross-border migration and other relevant population movements unless this is addressed by some other mechanism.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received concerning the health and social services capitation review. [15043]

Mr. Worthington

There has been a range of responses from Boards, Trusts, Members of Parliament and District Councils along very clear lines. Those representing Board areas where it is proposed to reduce the capitation funding share oppose the Review Group's recommendations while those representing Boards areas where it is proposed to increase the capitation funding share support the recommendations.

I can confirm that the majority view is one of support for the recommended way forward.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the financial operations of each of the health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland. [15048]

Mr. Worthington

Various statutory provisions ensure that HSS Trusts in Northern Ireland manage and account for their financial activities in line with sound accounting practice and Government policy. Compliance by each of the Trusts is monitored and assessed by the HSS Executive through a number of mechanisms including financial returns, accounts and audit activity.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what priority was accorded to(a) targeting social need and (b) policy appraisal and fair treatment initiatives in devising the formula for the capitation funding system for health and social services boards. [15051]

Mr. Worthington

The Group developing the capitation formula for the allocation of resources to Health and Social Services Boards assessed their proposals against the requirements of the targeting social need and policy appraisal and fair treatment initiatives and found their recommendations to be consistent therewith.

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