HC Deb 21 March 1989 vol 149 c568W
41. Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to protect the income of general practitioners in rural areas.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

My proposals for changes to the family doctors' remuneration system are set out in the report "General Practice in the National Health Service —A New Contract". These proposals include a rural areas supplement to the basic practice allowance designed to recognise the particular nature of practice in sparsely populated rural areas and to ensure that GPs practising in these areas are not unduly disadvantaged by the nature of the area in which they work.

51. Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the likely implications for general practitioners in rural areas of his proposed changes to general practitioners' contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Government's proposals for linking family doctors' pay more closely to the range and quality of their services to patients are set out in the report "General Practice in the National Health Service—A New Contract", which I have sent to all GPs. The implications for rural practice are fully considered in that report. My proposals include a rural areas supplement to the basic practice allowance which is designed to recognise the particular nature of practice in sparsely populated rural areas and to ensure that GPs practising in such areas are not unduly disadvantaged by the nature of the area in which they work.