§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review the rules regarding financial penalties imposed on general practitioners who have not met targets set for immunisation; and if he will make a statement. [547]
§ Mr. RichardsChildhood immunisation target payments were introduced to provide incentives for general practitioners to encourage and increase patient take-up of childhood vaccinations. The success of the immunisation programme has resulted in the incidence of childhood diseases being at their lowest-ever levels and I have no plans to review the criteria GPs have to meet in order to qualify for target payments.