OXFORD REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY (Hansard, 29 November 1993)

§ Lord Judd
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the expenditure by the Primary Care Department of the Oxford Regional Health Authority on—

(a) the development of fund holding practices; and

(b) the development of non-fund holding practices;

and which is the priority between (a) and (b).

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)
This information is not available centrally. The noble Lord may wish to contact Dr. Stuart Burgess, Chairman of Oxford Regional Health Authority for details.

§ Lord Judd
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What funds are being made available in 1993–94 by the Oxford Regional Health Authority for—

(a) the computerisation of fund holding practices; and

(b) the computerisation of non-fund holding practices:

and what is the reason for any discrepancies.

§ Baroness Cumberlege
This information will not be available until the end of the financial year.

§ Lord Judd
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy for dealing with any discrepancies in the Oxford Regional Health Authority area which emerge in the treatment afforded to the patients of non-fund holding practices by provider units or to non-fund holding practices themselves by the Region and FHSA.

§ Baroness Cumberlege
Department of Health guidance stipulates that hospitals cannot agree contracts with one provider which would disadvantage the patients of another. All patients have benefited from improvements in health services in Oxford region. Over 21WA 180,000 more patients were treated in 1992–93 than in 1991–92. Oxford region continues to work with all practices to develop primary care in their area.