§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total financial surpluses currently held by GP fundholders. [5174]
§ Mr. MilburnThe total accumulated level of savings available to general practitioner fundholders as of April 1996 was £188 million.
§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if GP fundholding receives the same degree of audit scrutiny as other elements of the NHS and public sector services. [5281]
§ Mr. MilburnLike all other National Health Service bodies, general practitioner fundholders are under a statutory requirement to have their accounts audited annually by the Audit Commission. In addition, their accounts (as part of those of the local health authority) are open for scrutiny by the National Audit Office and by internal auditors of the local health authority. These are similar to the arrangements that apply elsewhere in the public sector.