§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he envisages for community health councils in respect of the work of general practitioners who become budget holders.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe responsibility of ensuring that adequate patient care is provided will rest with the family health service authority and the regional health authority. The patient will give the GP direct feedback about the service being provided. Patients will still be able to complain to a service committee whether a GP is a fund holder or not. No special role is envisaged for community health councils in respect of the work of GPs who become budget holders.