§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what factors underlie the provision of NHS resources to the North Essex Health Authority at a rate per head of population of 10 per cent. below the English average; [43313]
(2) if he will increase the level of NHS funding per head of population in the North Essex Health Authority to the average for all English health authorities. [43310]
§ Mr. MilburnIn 1998–99, the allocation per weighted head of population for North Essex Health Authority is 2.3 per cent. below the England average.
The underlying principle of resource allocation in the National Health Service is equity.
A capitation formula is used to inform the distribution of hospital and community health services funding between health authorities which weights their populations for relative need.
The speed at which health authorities are moved closer to their weighted capitation targets is decided annually. For 1998–99, North Essex Health Authority received a real terms increase of £7.8 million or 2.2 per cent. compared to the England real terms average increase of 1.9 per cent.
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Scheme Deadline for applications Section 64 18 September 1998 Opportunities for Volunteering Varies according to the 17 agents administering the scheme Ethnic Minority Health Yet to be finalised, but likely to be around December 1998/January 1999 Shared Training grants—learning disabilities Yet to be finalised In addition, North Essex Health Authority has received £4.7 million to target waiting lists in 1998–99.