§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what current NHS rules and practice enable the age of a patient to be taken into account by a general practitioner or a general practitioner practice when determining whether to accept a new patient on to their lists; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNone.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had from the Pensioners Liaison Forum North-west, in regard to equal access to health care for elderly people; what reply she is sending; what action she is taking; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a letter from the Pensioners Liaison Forum North-west on this subject. Our reply will reaffirm that it is the duty of the national health service to provide health services for all, regardless of age, on the basis of clinical need.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to publish guidelines for general practitioner fundholders in relation to taking patients off their lists; and what plans she has to investigate any fundholding GP practices which remove patients from their list on the basis of the patients' age.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNone. The requirements for general practitioner fundholders are exactly the same as for other GPs in this respect.