§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much money is spent per head of population on health services in(a) South Lancashire and (b) North Lancashire Health Authority area; [105115]
(2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of medical services at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital; [105117]
(3) what assessment he has made of the provision of satellite renal services at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital; [105116]
(4) if he will make a statement on the financial situation of the South Lancashire Health Authority; [105114]
(5) what plans he has to introduce new and enhanced existing medical services at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital; [105170]
(6) if he will end the practice of postcode medicine in Lancashire by merging the relevant health authorities. [105113]
§ Ms StuartSouth Lancashire and North West Lancashire health authorities commissioned Professor Sir Leslie Turnberg to review the provision of medical services in Chorley, South Ribble and Preston and to recommend the best configuration of services to meet the needs of local residents. The Boards of Chorley and South Ribble National Health Service Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust endorsed the recommendations of that review team.
The NHS Executive is currently undertaking organisational development work designed to improve health and health services in the north west. Any proposals for organisational reconfigurations of health authorities arising from these discussions will be subject to formal public consultation.
Figures for expenditure per head of population in South Lancashire and North West Lancashire, are given in the table.
South Lancashire Health Authority planned for an income and expenditure deficit of £1.1 million for 1999–2000—the forecast outturn at Q3 indicates that this plan will be achieved. The authority is planning to return to a recurrently balanced financial position in the short term.
290WThe health authority has commissioned an independent review of the health economy within South Lancashire and all relevant parties, the health authority, primary care groups and NHS Trusts are supporting this review. It is intended that the review will assist the health economy in South Lancashire to identify solutions to the current financial position.
The four health authorities serving Lancashire and South Cumbria have agreed a strategy to improve the provision of renal services in the area. An additional 15 dialysis stations, due to open at the Royal Preston Hospital in the spring, will benefit Chorley and South Ribble residents. The next stage of the process will involve investment in satellite units and the possibility of a unit at Chorley has been recognised in the strategy.
The range of quality of medical services provided by Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital is kept under continuous review by commissioning health authorities.
Expenditure on health services by head of population in the North West Region (by health authority) 1998–99 £ North West Lancashire Health Authority 649.68 South Lancashire Health Authority 606.42 North West Region 649.50 Notes:
1. The majority of drugs expenditure has been accounted for by the Prescription Pricing Authority rather than individual health authorities. Also the majority of General Dental Services expenditure is not available by health authority.
2. Figures are taken from health authority annual accounts which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in each year.
Source:
Health authority accounts for 1998–99.
Mid-year resident population estimates for 1998.