HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc760-1W
Dr. Brand

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reimburse general practitioners for testing for H. pylori. [12780]

Mr. Milburn

Under the terms of a general practitioner's cost plus contract, all expenses incurred in the delivery of general medical services are reimbursed either directly to the general practitioner who incurs the cost or indirectly, at the average for the profession as a whole, through fees and allowances.

General practitioners are free to use any of the test kits for H. pylori if they feel it clinically appropriate, and the profession will receive reimbursement for their costs through fees and allowances.

The Government have no plans to change these arrangements.