title: Rationality and the use of formulae in the allocation of resources to health care.
abstract: The paper describes how the apparent move towards rationality in allocating resources in the National Health Service using statistically based formulae is illusory. This is not just a technical problem of poor application of statistical techniques. The basic problem is to find a combination of factors reflecting dimensions of need and then appropriate weights with which to combine them within the context of the guiding principles of equity and efficiency. The paper explains how there has been little consistency in measuring need and how statistical methods have often masked the lack of appropriate data and models. Alternative approaches to measuring need within a policy context are discussed and a research agenda is outlined which, rather than concentrating on evermore complex statistical techniques, focuses on the necessity for more validly operationalizing 'needs' and their resource implications.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics, University of York.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carr-Hill
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sheldon
mesh_terms: D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D017059:Models, Econometric; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom