§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reasons for the disparity in the allocation of whole-time equivalent health visitors employed by Parkside Community Health Trust between the health authority in Brent and Harrow and the Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority. [112811]
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§ Mr. DenhamDecisions about the level of investment in health visiting services are made by health authorities, in discussion with Primary Care Groups and/or Primary Care Trusts and National Health Service trusts, and take account of the identified health needs of the local population. It would, therefore, be misleading to compare the service provided by Parkside Community Health Trust to these two health authorities on the basis of whole time equivalents only. The three Primary Care Groups in Brent are currently developing integrated nursing strategies which will take a broader view of population need and review the current deployment of all nursing and therapy provision, including health visiting.