HC Deb 19 June 1990 vol 174 cc511-2W
Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners or general practitioner practices have now expressed an interest in becoming practice budget holders within each health authority in England.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The programme "Funding General Practice" issued to all GPs in England in December invited practices that were interested in fund holding to return a form to their regional health authority. By the end of February over 850 practices had expressed an interest in this way and others have done so subsequently. The table sets out the position in each region:

Region Number of practices expressing an interest February 1990
Northern 65
Yorkshire 64
Trent 57
Region Number of practices expressing an interest February 1990
East Anglian 36
NW Thames 78
NE Thames 58
SE Thames 61
SW Thames 58
Wessex 55
Oxford 61
South Western 85
West Midlands 70
Mersey 51
North Western 55
Total 854

Of these 854 practices, around 150 had to be rejected simply because they did not meet the size criterion and did not wish to join with another practice, around 400 are likely to undertake preparatory work to enable them to become fund holders in 1991 and over 150 have indicated that they wish to consider becoming fund holders in 1992.

Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the names of the general practitioners or practices which have expressed an interest in becoming practice budget holders.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners and general practitioner practices will be eligible to become practice budget holders within each health authority in England.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The criteria for participation in the practice funding scheme will be set out in regulations made under clause 14 of the National Health Service and Community Care Bill currently before Parliament. However, as indicated in the programme "Funding General Practice" issued last December, copies of which are available in the Library, practices which have over 9,000 patients (or group together to meet this criterion), can demonstrate the ability to manage a fund and are adequately computerised are eligible to participate. It is not possible to state how many practices meet all these criteria.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners practices are now eligible to become budget holders; how many have expressed an interest in budget holding; if he will name those practices; and if he will give the information by region.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies today to the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye (Mr. Kennedy).