§ 33. Mr. KynochTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many general practitioner practices in Scotland have applied to become fund holders; and how many already are fund holders.
§ Mr. Allan StewartCurrently there are 10 operational fund-holding practices in Scotland. In addition, 12 practices are involved in a small practice pilot scheme but are not full fund holders.
Latest returns from health boards indicate that 67 practices have applied, and are likely to be approved by 323W boards to become fund-holding practices in 1993, although not all of these will commence fund holding on 1 April. A number of other practices are likely to follow up their expressions of interest and apply to become full fund holders during 1993. It is therefore expected that up to 90 practices will be fund holders by the end of the 1993–94 financial year.