HC Deb 20 February 1990 vol 167 cc721-3W
104. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on implementation of the National Health Service reforms.

113. Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on the implementation of the proposed reforms of the National Health Service.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We are making good progress in putting into action the changes outlined in the White Paper "Working for Patients". We are confident that the NHS will be ready to implement the basic elements of the new and better systems of matching growth and resources with expansion of patient services by April 1991 once Parliament approves the necessary legislation. We have made £85 million available to finance progress towards implementation this financial year and more than £300 million will be available in 1990–91.

We have issued detailed guidance on many subjects including the education and training of non-medical staff. Guidance on the principles of the new contracting system was issued in September and further guidance on additional aspects of the contracting system will be issued shortly.

We have published a GP fund holder programme which gives details about the operation of a GP practice fund. There has been an encouraging level of interest in the proposed scheme in all regions in England.

A new working paper, the 11th in the series, has been published, called "Framework for Information Systems: Overview". This working paper covers two documents issued for consultation, looking at the way ahead for information and information technology and concentrating on action in preparation for April 1991.

We intend to publish a further working paper on indicative prescribing budgets within the next few weeks.

We have launched a project to support district health authorities in detailed work in developing the key role which DHAs will have under the new system of identifying and obtaining the best pattern of services which will most effectively meet all the health needs of the population they serve.

We have received 190 expressions of interest from potential NHS hospital trusts, 80 of them are proceeding towards being the first wave of applicants for trust status within the NHS in April 1991. Subject to progress in Parliament, we expect many more to be ready for later waves of applicants in future years.

We have made £2 million available for implementation of medical audit this financial year, and a further £26 million has been allocated to hospital and community health services for the development of medical audit in 1990–91. A £4.5 million scheme has been launched to develop information technology skills. Demonstration projects, aimed at improving the quality of care and services to patients, have been announced for five out-patient departments. The principles of general management are being introduced into the family practitioner committee system.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has invited the medical and nursing royal colleges and the statutory bodies concerned with clinical issues to early talks on how, if necessary, clinical standards can be reinforced after the proposals in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill are implemented.

Good progress is also being made in relation to medical education and research. As my right hon. and learned Friend explained in a speech on 10 July 1989, since sent to all hospital doctors, we intend to take powers to ensure, for example, the continuation of high standards of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education and research in all National Health Service hospitals. We will also ensure that postgraduate training posts are provided in National Health Service hospital trusts in accordance with the national objectives set out in "Achieving a Balance". Medical education and research will be further enhanced by the proposed increase in the service increment for teaching (SIFT) to meet 100 per cent. of the median excess costs of teaching hospitals. This will be distributed by regions in consultation with universities.

The National Health Service and Community Care Bill is now before the House.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a pamphlet summarising the implications for patients of the Health Service reforms; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

A leaflet (reference HSR1) setting out the implications of the proposed reforms for patients was published together with the White Paper "Working for Patients". We will consider further the need for additional public information.