§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the amount of money being held on behalf of fundholders at regional level by region for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95. [36797]
§ Mr. MaloneThe information requested is shown in the table. By 1994–95 there were 8,889 general practitioner fundholders covering 34 per cent. of the population, with budgets totalling £2.8 billion. Savings available for spending totalling £84 million—equivalent to 3 per cent. of 1994–95 budgets.
In any one year, a large proportion of the retained savings will date from the previous year and will not therefore be available for use until the final audit of fundholders' accounts has been completed. Savings may be retained for up to four years to be used for the benefit of patients of the practice.
483W
1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 Region Number of GP fundholders Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million) Number of GP fundholders Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million) Number of GP fundholders Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million) South Thames 387 2.3 749 3.5 1,345 8.6 South and West 442 1.3 755 4.5 1,103 9.1 West Midlands 322 2.5 687 5.7 1,098 14.7 North West 388 1.8 759 4.3 1,101 10.2 England 3,159 14.8 6,140 36.7 8,889 84.4 Source:
Regional offices.
Notes:
Savings spent in previous years or voluntarily returned to health authorities during the audit process are not included in the figures.