§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 408, what steps he has taken to ensure that general practitioner fund holders, in providing care themselves, or in setting contracts with other providers, will not directly disadvantage NHS patients from other practices.
§ Mr. StewartExisting guidance concerning GP fund holders setting contracts with other providers is contained in the procedural manual on GP fund-holding issued by the management executive of the national health service in Scotland. This already requires that providers ensure that contracts with one purchaser will not disadvantage the patients of another.
271WCopies of this manual have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
In consultation with health boards, guidance is currently in the process of being compiled which will incorporate the principle that GP fund holders in providing care themselves, will not directly disadvantage NHS patients from other practices. This guidance when completed will be included in the manual.