§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected cost to public funds is of enabling all patients to have GP appointments within 48 hours. [16250]
§ Mr. HuttonBetter access for patients is part of the vision for modernising primary care. Expenditure in primary care is around £5 billion. As well as this funding an access fund is available for primary care. Rising from £54.5 million in 2000–01, recurrent funding of £84.5 million is available this year, increasing to £114.5 million in 2002–03 and is intended to support primary care trusts in securing delivery of the 48-hour target. This can be further enhanced by PCTs unified budgets.