§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What audit or supervision is applied to fund-holding general practitioners to ensure that the funds are entirely used for the benefit of patients.
§ Baroness CumberlegeRegional health authorities in England (in Wales my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Wales) are responsible for ensuring that general practitioner fundholders apply their funds in accordance with the National Health Service (Fund-holding Practices) Regulations 1993. Family health services authorities have responsibility for budget monitoring and internal audit of GP fundholders. In addition, fundholders are audited annually by the Audit Commission.
In Scotland, health boards are responsible for ensuring that GP fundholders apply their funds in accordance with the National Health Service (Fund-holding Practices) (Scotland) Regulations 1993. They also have responsibility for budget monitoring and internal audit of GP fundholders. In addition, fundholders are audited annually by statutory auditors appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
In Northern Ireland, the Health and Personal Social Services Management Executive is responsible for ensuring that GP fundholders use their funds in accordance with the relevant legislation, which is the Health and Personal Social Services (Fund-holding Practices) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993. Health and Social Services Boards have responsibility for budget monitoring and for the internal audit of fundholders. Fundholders will also be audited annually by auditors appointed by the Department of Health and Social Services.