§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average amount spent by fundholders out of savings in extending premises and the average amount of improvement grants given to non-GP fundholders in the latest available year. [15003]
§ Mr. MaloneInformation on the amount of savings spent by general practitioner fundholders on premises improvements is not available centrally. However, the National Audit Office report on GP fundholding estimates, from regional health authorities, that about one-third of savings have been used to improve practice premises for the benefit of patients, for example, to provide a wider range of services.
In 1993–94, about £26 million was spent on improvement grants for all GPs in 1993–94. A breakdown of this figure between fundholders and non-fundholders is not available centrally.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the average savings by fundholders in each year since 1991–92. [15007]
§ Mr. MaloneAverage savings made by fundholders in the first three years of the scheme were £50,000 per fund in 1991–92, £50,000 per fund in 1992–93 and £55,000 per fund in 1993–94. These savings are being reinvested38W in improving patient care. Following independent audit by the Audit Commission, fundholders savings are held by family health services authorities on behalf of the patients of fundholders.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about the total savings by individual GP fundholders; and what information she has on how these savings are being spent by individual GP fundholders. [14990]
§ Mr. MaloneRegional health authorities are responsible for managing the fundholding scheme in their area. Information about an individual fundholder's savings is not routinely held centrally.