§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the definition of a national health service pension enhancement; and if such enhancements are available to all national health service pensionable staff.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere is no statutory definition of a national health service pension enhancement, but payments based on the crediting of additional services can be made to compensate for the loss of future pension rights on premature or ill-health retirement. Such enhancements are available to all national health service pensionable employees who satisfy certain criteria.
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§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide an estimate for the value of fund-holding allocations retained by general practitioner fund-holders at the year end.
§ Dr. Mawhinney[holding answer 6 December 1993]: Although not all general practitioner fundholders' accounts for the year 1992–93 have been audited yet, it is estimated that fundholders achieved efficiency savings of about £28 million or 3.3 per cent., of total budgets. These impressive efficiency gains will be re-invested in further service improvements for patients.