National Service Framework for Older People

HC Deb 15 July 2002 vol 389 cc128-9W

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to support(a) the National Service Framework for Older People and (b) the provision of chiropody services within the National Service Framework for Older People in the current financial year. [69406]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 12 July 2002]: By 2003–04, an extra £1.4 billion is being made available for the overall development of health and social services for older people, including resources to support the introduction of the national service framework for older people, which includes actions for the development of chiropody services.

The Government are making the biggest ever investment in the history of the national health service. There will be an annual average increase of 7.5 per cent. above inflation over the next five years 2003–04 to

2007–08. This is now the largest ever sustained increase in NHS funding and older people—the biggest users of the NHS, will be among the principal beneficiaries.