§ 22. Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next expects to meet representatives of the National Association of Fundholding Practices to discuss expansion of fundholding; and if he will make a statement. [33202]
§ Mr. MaloneI meet regularly with the National Association of Fundholding Practices to discuss the continued successful development of the fundholding scheme. General practitioner fundholding has brought significant benefits to patients by reducing waiting times, bringing more services closer to patients and freeing up resources through efficiency savings. The Government want to see these benefits extended to all patients and that is why we are expanding the range of options for GPs to join fundholding from April 1996.