HC Deb 25 April 1994 vol 242 c63W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholders underspent in 1991–92; what was the average underspend of those general practitioners; and what information she has on how that underspend has been used.

Dr. Mawhinney

In 1991–92, 243 general practitioner fundholders made savings on their budgets averaging about £60,000. Savings so far have been used to clear waiting lists and to purchase equipment and improve practice premises to develop services for patients.

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to deduct general practitioner fundholding overspends in previous years from any underspends in subsequent years.

Dr. Mawhinney

None. General practitioner fund-holders' budgets have to be managed in year. Regional health authorities manage any fundholder overspends from within their allocations in the same way as any other accountable expenditure. Fundholders' savings are reinvested in patient care.