§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all programmes currently under way designed to evaluate the national health service reforms introduced in April.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe NHS management executive is undertaking an extensive programme of development work on the health service reforms. Its aim is to assess the effectiveness of alternative approaches to realising the full benefits of the reforms, to develop and disseminate good practice, and to identify any areas where action may be necessary to ensure that the desired effects of the reforms are achieved.
The Department has established a joint NHS review committee with the general medical services committee. This committee will undertake a joint evaluation of the general practitioner fundholding scheme and provide a means for the profession to put forward views on its future development.