§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what specific ways general practitioners' fundholding arrangements take into account of the specialist needs of patients with chronic illness, mental health problems or of those requiring expensive treatments.
§ Mr. MaloneGeneral practitioner fundholders are responsible for purchasing out-patient services and community health services on behalf of all their patients, including those with chronic illness and mental health problems. Fundholders' budgets enable them to meet the cost of treatment for a patient up to the first £6,000 in any one year. District health authorities are funded to meet the cost of the remaining patient care.