Julian continues to campaign for a fairer NHS Funding Formula for his constituents
November 18, 2015
Yesterday in Parliament Julian Sturdy once again raised his concerns over the NHS funding formula which allocates money to Clinical Commissioning Groups.
The current funding formula is weighted towards deprivation at the expense of age and rurality, which has led to a distortion in the formula, with some areas being awash with money, whilst others like York and North Yorkshire, having to take difficult decisions over healthcare provisions, such as with IVF and pain relief injections.
In departmental Health Questions yesterday, Julian asked:
“Can the Secretary of State assure me that the NHS funding review that is currently under way will deliver a fairer formula for my constituents and many others across York and North Yorkshire by putting age and rurality—some of the biggest drivers of health costs—at the heart of this long overdue review?”
Responding, the Minister for Community and Social Care, Alistair Burt said:
“Clinical Commissioning Group formulae are based on advice provided by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. I can assure my hon. Friend that an adjustment per head is made for morbidity over and above age and gender, but as to whether or not one area is fairer than another, I am afraid that that is always a matter for local decision and discretion.”
Speaking after the debate, Julian said:
“I have raised this matter numerous times with Ministers and held a debate over the issue, therefore I welcome the news that an independent advisory group within NHS England is now undertaking a full review of the formula. This provided me with a great opportunity to once again raise the matter with the Minister.
“I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that York gets a fair deal on healthcare funding and I look forward to hearing the review’s recommendations in due course. “
