HC Deb 23 May 1991 vol 191 cc596-8W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take to ensure that non-fund-holding general practices in the city of Sheffield are able to place patients in hospitals outside the authority area, where required for the most appropriate patient care and speediest treatment; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

General practitioners remain free to refer patients to hospitals outside their district boundaries. Indeed, the reforms offer improved arrangements to giving practical effect to this freedom.

Guidance, "Contracts for Health Services: Operational Principles", issued to the national health service on 29 September 1989, a copy of which is available in the Library, made it clear that district health authorities' objective should be to secure contracts which reflect the referral patterns local general practitioners prefer. There has been an unprecedented level of consultation between district health authorities and local general practitioners to achieve this. District health authorities are also holding reserves of funds for referrals where no contract has been secured in advance.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish general practitioner fund-holding contracts.

Mr. Dorrell

Guidance to the National Health Service (EL(90)M B24, a copy of which is available in the Library) has made it clear that contracts for health services with both public and private providers should be made publicly available once they are signed.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given on the relationship between general practitioner fund-holding practices and community health councils regarding their health purchasing policies of such general practitioners.

Mr. Dorrell

None. The community health council has a statutory relationship with the district health authority which retains overall planning responsibility for the provision of health services to all residents, including those on the lists of fund-holding general practitioners.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the Far Lane general practitioner fund-holding practice in Sheffield; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

I have received one such representation from the Sheffield local medical committee, whom I met on Wednesday 22 May.

The Far Lane fund-holding practice in Sheffield has legitimately set up a company which is employing consultants to provide a range of services for patients. Regional health authorities are required to agree to such arrangements only where they constitute good value for money by comparison with the alternatives and meet the requisite quality standards for the provision of care. The Trent regional health authority has confirmed that it is content with the arrangements at this practice.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued concerning the use of general practitioner fund holders' premises for private practice; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

No guidance has been issued specifically to fund holders. GPs, as independent contractors, are free to use as they like the premises which they own. The conditions for payments to GPs in respect of their surgery premises, are set out in the statement of fees and allowances.