§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money fundholders currently have in savings, by region; and how much this figure was for each of the last three years. [15365]
§ Mr. MaloneI refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 24 November 1994 at cols321–22 and on 14 March at col 545.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health for each family health service authority what percentage of the costs for(a) computer hardware, (b) computer software and (c) computer maintenance (i) non-funding and (ii) fundholding GPs are presently allowed to claim back. [15363]
§ Mr. MaloneUnder the terms of the cost-plus contract for general practitioners, the profession is fully reimbursed all expenses incurred in the delivery of general medical services.
All GPs, non-fundholders and fundholders alike, are able to claim direct reimbursement of normally up to 50 per cent. for practice computer systems to support general medical service activity.
In addition, GP fundholders are required to have systems to manage their budgets, for which they are able to claim up to 100 per cent. of specialist computer software and related maintenance costs and 75 per cent. of computer hardware and associated maintenance costs.
The balance of expenditure on computer hardware, software and maintenance will continue to be met indirectly through the expenses element in the gross fees and allowances.
Information on the percentage costs reimbursed by individual family health services authorities is not available centrally.