Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when setting weighted capitation targets for resource allocation to primary care trusts, what account is taken of the unavoidable geographical variations in the cost of providing services. [118952]
§ Mr. HuttonThe weighted capitation formula used to inform the allocation of resources to primary care trusts includes a market forces factor. The market forces factor takes account of unavoidable variations in the cost of providing services due to location.
Further information on the market forces factor is available in "Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formula". Copies are available in the Library.