James Wilkinson

Part of Opposition Day – in the House of Commons at 10:46 pm on 18 January 1995.

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Photo of Mr Tom Sackville Mr Tom Sackville , Bolton West 10:46, 18 January 1995

I congratulate the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on securing this Adjournment debate on Ondine's syndrome and the case of James Wilkinson. I listened with great interest to his remarks. Thankfully, Ondine's syndrome is a rare condition, but I appreciate the support that the hon. Gentleman has given the Wilkinson family and the concern that he feels. I know that right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House join me in conveying our sympathy to members of James Wilkinson's family, whose lives have inevitably been turned upside down by his condition. The illness of any loved one is always traumatic and difficult to come to terms with, and especially so with one so young—in this case, a two-year-old child.

The NHS accords a high priority to children's health services. In 1991, a good practice guide on the welfare of children and young people in hospital was issued to health authorities. It made a number of important points, including—this is relevant in this case—the point that children should be treated at home wherever possible, with help from primary care and other services.

In 1993, following the Audit Commission report "Children First", which welcomed the guide's recommendations, the NHS Executive made child health a second-line priority for 1993–94. Furthermore, perinatal, infant and child mortality are, as the hon. Gentleman knows, falling significantly compared with figures for 20 years ago, for which we can all be grateful.

The hon. Gentleman spoke of what he views as Wakefield's difficult future funding situation. Regional health authorities, in making allocations to health districts for 1995–96, are following the policy that no district such as Wakefield—which, as the hon. Gentleman said, is over target in terms of the allocation formula—will lose resources in real terms.

It is for regional health authorities to make allocations to district health authorities and to decide which formula to use in setting targets. The resources that Wakefield health authority will receive next year will be greater than was predicted earlier by the authority. Although the revised weighted capitation formula will have a bearing on future years, it will not affect Wakefield's level for growth in 1995–96. To put this in absolute numbers, I understand from the regional health authority that Wakefield health authority will receive total funding of £134 million next year, which amounts to an extra £6.2 million, including £900,000 of growth money.

This does not commit anyone to specific funding for future years, but it does show that real growth in health resources continues; so some of the hon. Gentleman's dire predictions, made here and elsewhere, about reductions in allocations to Wakefield are clearly exaggerated.