asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of: (1) the total level of gross expenditure on medical services in this country in (a) 1971 and (b) 1984; (2) the total expenditure in 1971 and 1984 on (a) community care services, (b) special hospital services and (c) general hospital services; (3) the total number of medical staff employed in both 1971 and 1984, the total number of nursing staff employed in both years and the total number of administrative staff employed in both years; and (4) if he will make a categoric statement on the level of health services and the increase in costs and staffing over the years and if he is satisfied with the present level of service being given by the health services under his control.
Written Answers. - Expenditure on Medical Services.
673.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below.
|
1971-72 |
1984 |
|
|
£m |
£m |
|
|
(a) Gross Non-Capital Expenditure |
97.120 |
1,152.200 |
|
(2)(a) Community Care |
17.119 |
266.712 |
|
(b) Special Hospitals |
27.846 |
295.946 |
|
(c) General Hospitals |
43.802 |
516.822 |
|
(3) Number of staff as at 31 December |
1974 |
1984 |
|
Medical and Dental |
2,650 |
4,458 |
|
Nursing and Allied |
22,605 |
29,390 |
|
Administrative |
3,428 |
6,123 |
(Staff numbers are not available for 1971 in the format requested. The figure for administrative staff includes staff employed in the Department of Health, staff at health board headquarters and staff which are closely associated with the provision of services at hospital and services levels).
With regard to the Deputy's question concerning services levels I would direct his attention to the relevant sections of the national plan Building on Reality.
In relation to the health services a number of objectives have been specified in the plan. These include a greater emphasis on health promotion, the provision of services on a community or outpatient basis wherever possible, the maintenance of a wide range of care and support services, with particular reference to children at risk, low income groups not availing of services and the disabled, and continuation of efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The health services have been substantially improved in the period since 1971. It is intended to ensure that within the framework of the national plan the essential fabric of the services will be maintained and effect given to the proposed reorganisation of services to the extent that resources permit.
The increases in costs arose from (a) the increases in staff numbers which were associated with improvements in the levels and scope of services, shorter working hours, etc. (b) pay increases and (c) price inflation.