NHS Funding

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:31 pm on 9 February 2005.

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Photo of Ms Lorna Fitzsimons Ms Lorna Fitzsimons Labour, Rochdale 12:31, 9 February 2005

I thank my right hon. Friend for this continued investment in the increased health care provision in the health economy in Rochdale. He will know that Rochdale has one of the most profoundly difficult areas in terms of poverty. The new hospital and the recent announcement of £35 million under the LIFT—local improvement finance trust—project represent much needed increased investment. However, in relation to the uplift going to the spearhead areas under the accelerated fair share scheme, are the Government looking at the areas that have been historically underfunded for the past 50 years that did not gold-plate their services but undertook them at cost, and at the effect that that is having on issues such as investment in mental health?