§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reference was made to(a) the Robson statistics on deprivation and (b) geographical rural isolation in the formulation of the capitation system of funding for health and social services boards. [15050]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe Robson statistics on deprivation are not suitable for use in the capitation system of funding health and social services boards as they do not enable finance to be allocated in proportion to the need for health and social care. This is because differences in Robson statistics are not proportionate to differences in deprivation. For example, an area with a Robson score twice that of another area may not necessarily be twice as deprived. In addition, Robson is not the most focused measure of health and social care need. It is a very broad measure of general deprivation, combining a large number of indicators from areas such as environment and education as well as health and social care.
26WThe Capitation Formula Review Group has recommended continued use of the existing rurality adjustment while specifically commissioned research in this area is completed.