§ Mr. Brian JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Tamworth Primary Care Organisation project. [8434]
§ Mr. MilburnNone. There are two stages to the application process—an expression of interest followed by a formal application. Everyone who has submitted an expression of interest to pilot the new arrangements under the NHS (Primary Care) Act 1997 will receive feedback on their proposal from their local health authority and will be given the opportunity to re-visit their proposal in light of the comments made. Formal applications to enter the Primary Care Act Pilot scheme have to be with Health Authorities by 1 November and applicants will be notified as to whether their application has been approved before the end of December.