§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what special funding arrangements are provided for casualty work undertaken in rural general practices.
§ Mr. MaloneNone.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what policies are implemented to address the difficulties of providing medical care in rural areas.
§ Mr. MaloneA central aim of Government health care policy has been to base the purchasing of services on a proper assessment of local need. This helps to target provision to reflect particular circumstances, such as those in rural areas. In addition, there are a number of local initiatives around the country which aim to improve medical care in rural areas. There are also some specific allowances to help rural general practitioners.
Health care issues in rural affairs will also be addressed in the Rural White Paper announced by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 12 October 1994. Preparatory work for this has involved widespread consultation, including with health care and professional organisations.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on initiatives to promote the use of communication and information technology in rural medical services.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere is an information management and technology strategy which covers the whole of the national health service, including the use of communication and information technology in rural medical services.