§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has in mind for the review of the role and function of the fundholding project management group at the end of the first year.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe group will conduct its own review after the end of its first year of operation. I will then consider its future in the light of that review and circumstances obtaining at the time.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the number, date and place of the meetings of the general practitioner fundholder steering group since 23 March 1994; what sub-committees have 65W been set up and to cover which topics; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will list the papers and studies commissioned and actions taken to implement the recommendations of the general practitioner fundholding project management group.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe GPFH steering group has met on three occasions at the Hensol conference centre on 10 May, 13 September and 15 November 1994. No sub-committees have been set up.
The following topics have been considered:
- Steering Group Terms of Reference
- Weighted Capitation
- Financial Management
- Survey of GP practices
- Fair Purchasing
Most of this work is continuing.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the initiatives by the general practitioner fundholding project management group, taken in(a) promotion of general practitioner fundholding to non-fundholders, (b) setting up a strategic planning process, (c) meeting the need for financial control and an acceptable method of determining allocations, (d) evaluating the scheme and (e) evaluating the implications of the onset of unitary authorities on the relationship with fundholders.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe GP fundholding project management group has no executive function. Any action required in respect of views or recommendations arising from its work will be a matter for my Department.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the executive committee of the general practitioner fundholding project management group and its membership and functions.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe GPFH steering group does not have an executive committee.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the Welsh conference on general practitioner fundholding mentioned in his letter of 23 March 1994 to all general practitioner fundholders.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe conference was held on 14 June 1994. The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones), gave the keynote address and other speeches dealt with matters relating to the scheme. GP Fundholders and representatives from DHAs, FHSAs, and hospitals responded to an invitation widely distributed in the service.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the percentage figures for(a) brand name and (b) generic prescribing for the average of all general practitioner fundholders in Wales in (i) the second year before they became fundholders, (ii) the year before they became fundholders, (iii) the first year after they became fundholders and (iv) the average of each subsequent year;
(2) if he will list the percentage brand name and generic prescribing ratio for the average of all general practitioner fundholders in (a) the second year before they became fundholders, (b) the year before they became fundholders, (c) the first year of fundholding and (d) the average for all subsequent years;
66W(3) if he will list the average value of capital projects at the surgery premises of (a) general practitioner fundholders and (b) non-fundholding general practitioners, in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. RedwoodThis information is not held centrally.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the percentage figures for(a) brand name and (b) generic prescribing for (i) general practitioner fundholders and (ii) non-general practitioner fundholders in each family health service authority in Wales for each of the past three years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. RedwoodInformation is not available in the form requested. The percentages of generic prescribing in each family health services authority in Wales is as follows:
October 1992 October 1993 October 1994 Clwyd Fundholders 40.89 50.00 53.66 FHSA 40.23 44.28 47.23 Dyfed Fundholders 50.87 52.87 51.62
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will specify the policy objectives of the general practitioner fundholding project management group, relating to the NHS in Wales and the other developments relevant to the development of the general practitioner fundholding scheme.
§ Mr. RedwoodI wrote to the hon. Member on 17 January about the GP fundholding project management group's terms of reference and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to institute a full valuation of the surgery premises at(a) general practitioner fundholders and (b) non-fundholders; what estimate his Department has made of the average value of surgery premises of (i) general practitioner fundholders and (ii) non-fundholders; what estimate his Department has made of the rate of change of that average capital value of (1) general practitioner fundholders and (2) non-fundholders' surgery premises; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodGeneral practitioners are independent self employed contractors in the NHS. Under their terms of service, they themselves are required to provide adequate practice premises from which to see their patients. The capital value of, and investment in, the premises they own is a matter for them, and their interest in any premises they may rent is between them and their landlord. It would not be appropriate therefore for me to institute a full valuation of their practice premises.