§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the effect of clause 13 of the Health and Medicines Bill on the implementation of the recommendations of paragraph 13.7 of the Acheson report on primary health care in London, relating to improvement of practice premises and employment of ancillary staff.
§ Mr. NewtonSince the publication of the Acheson report in 1981, progress has been made towards the implementation of the recommendations of paragraph 13.7. The effect of clause 13 when enacted will be to reinforce the important role of family practitioner committees (FPCs) in securing continuing substantial improvements in family doctors' premises and in developing practice teams. In particular clause 13 will enable FPCs to target resources at areas of greatest need.