§ 38. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health the total number of applications for loans by general practitioners wishing to develop group practices as at the latest available date; and how many of these applications have been granted.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithBy the middle of July this year, 160 applications for loans from the Group Practice Loans Fund had been received. Of these, 61 applications have already been approved.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the hon. Lady do something to improve the number of these cases, at the stage at which they are being considered, to see if more can be done to encourage the development of group practices, which seems to be a positive way to help to build up the relationship with the local authorities that we all wish to see?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithSome of the applications have been rejected. The delay is not so much in the initial investigation, but once they have been approved it seems to take time for the conditions covering the loans to be fulfilled before they can be granted. This is in the hands of the general practitioners.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes that mean that consideration will be given to many of the outstanding cases and grants given shortly?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithYes, to those which have been approved.
§ 39. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to encourage closer co-operation between general practitioners and the local authority health services; and whether he will promise his full support for the establishment of such health centres and group practices where this co-operation can be made effective.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithMy right hon. Friend takes every opportunity to encourage co-operation between general practitioners and local health authority services. Where new facilities for general practice and for local health authority services have to be provided and cooperation can be achieved between these two branches of the Service, either in a health centre or in a group practice, he would certainly endeavour to support it.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the hon. Lady try to encourage some positive action on these lines? It seems as if the Service here is getting jelled at the present time? Is it not time that we gave positive encouragement to this form of cooperation? Cannot it be done if we get more health centres and group practices, insisting upon effective links with local authorities' services?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithOn the one hand the Group Practices Committee have to satisfy themselves regarding the loans. I 16 do not think there is any undue delay where conditions are carried out and the loans approved. We believe that health centres in the first stage are very much a matter for the local authorities after viewing their facilities and the desirability for that form of health service.
§ Mr. Hector HughesIs the hon. Lady aware that one way in which she could take positive and very useful action would be to get rid of the dearth of sick visitors for elderly people by making conditions for the visitors more attractive and the general pay better?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI am not quite sure how that question fits in with the main one, but I can assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that that arm of the Service has been steadily increased.