§ 28. Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the planned level of capital investment in the NHS over the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [127537]
§ Mr. DenhamThe planned level of Capital Investment in the National Health Service, including the Private Finance Initiative, is £1.942 billion in 1999–2000 and £2,736 billion in 2000–01.
§ 34. Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the ability of the health authority funding formula to reflect health service needs in each area. [127544]
§ Mr. DenhamThe current formula includes a wide range of health and socio-economic indicators associated with the need for healthcare.
142WThere have, however, been growing concerns about how well the formula matches cash to health need. The healthcare needs of populations must be the driving force in determining where cash goes. We have therefore asked the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation to oversee a wide-ranging review of the formula.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the sums required and (b) the percentage increase in funding required to achieve financial balance in each NHS health authority area by 2000–01; and what percentage of the additional NHS funding recently announced is required to achieve financial balance in each case. [128554]
§ Mr. DenhamHealth authorities do not spend money on achieving financial balance. In consultation with local stakeholders they use their allocations to commission services for their local populations. In planning their spending they are required to live within the resources available.