HC Deb 07 November 1989 vol 159 cc549-50W
16. Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many other groups of doctors, in addition to Sarum '89 he has met to discuss his proposals for reform of the National Health Service.

Mr. Freeman

My colleagues and I have had very many meetings with representative bodies of the medical profession, with other groups and with individual doctors.

35. Dr. Michael Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in association with the proposed Health Service reforms with regard to general practitioners' prescribing budgets.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have received 706 representations specifically referring to the proposals on prescribing budgets. In addition to this we have received 12,213 representations about the White Paper proposals in general, many of which have raised questions about, among other things, indicative prescribing budgets. Many of the letters expressed concern about the continued availability of medicines under the new system. We have been able to reassure correspondents that, as the representatives of the profession have now accepted, general practitioners will be able to continue to prescribe all those medicines which individual patients might need.

58. Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next plans to meet representatives of the British Medical Association to discuss changes in the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The BMA and my Department have not yet fixed a date for my next meeting with representatives of the BMA. I have no doubt that we will continue to have constructive discussions on how best to implement the proposals in the White Paper "Working For Patients".

59. Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to restate the overriding duty of a general practitioner to consider only the best interests of his or her patient when considering what drugs or medication to prescribe in forthcoming legislation affecting the National Health Service

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The Government have always made it clear that their proposals for reforming the NHS would not in any way prevent people getting the medicines that they need. The representatives of the medical profession accepted on 28 September that the management arrangements proposed by the Government for indicative prescribing budgets would not infringe in any way the right of a general practitioner to prescribe all those medicines which individual patients might need.

63. Mr. Marland

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the proposals to allow district health authorities to purchase health care from hospitals will affect patient care.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

These proposals will result in better standards of health care and more choice for patients. They will enable district health authorities to use their resources to obtain the best value for money in terms of high quality consumer-responsive services for their population. Districts will have a clear responsibility to ensure that a full range of health care services is available. They will specify the services required from each hospital or unit, whether or not it is under their direct managerial control. They will also specify the quality standards expected and ensure that these are met. Districts will be able to improve services as they will be financed on a basis which enables them to use any units which meets their requirements. They will use this freedom, in close consultation with local GPs, to obtain the most appropriate pattern of services for their population and to offer the maximum possible choice to patients.

27. Mr. Ian Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether general practitioners' ability to refer patients for treatment will be affected by the proposed reform of the National Health Service.

79. Mr. Hague

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the implications of the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" for general practitioners' freedom to refer patients for treatment.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 23 October at column318.