Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the role of(a) the area health board and (b) the local general practitioner in providing the surgeries at (i) Newry, (ii) Portadown, (iii) Lurgan, (iv) Tandragee, (v) Keady, (vi) Newtownhamilton, (vii) Moy, (viii) Tynan and (ix) Armagh. [34335]
1109W
§ Mr. MossGeneral medical practitioners are independent contractors and, in any area, the provision of their surgery premises is a matter for agreement between the GPs and the relevant health and social services board. GPs may provide their own surgery premises or they may rent accommodation either in a health centre run by the board or from a third party. In all cases GPs receive reimbursement from the board which can be related to the cost of providing premises, the actual rent being paid or the current market rental value of the accommodation.