§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will take to maintain a balance of interests within the make-up of primary care groups in the new NHS. [45483]
§ Mr. MilburnPrimary Care Groups will be established as a committee or sub-committee of the health authority. The chief executive of the health authority is the accountable officer and must ensure that proper arrangements are in place for ensuring that the Primary Care Group operates within the authority it has been delegated. The health authority will also ensure that arrangements are in place that meet the needs of the local population, within the terms of the health improvement programme. Governing arrangements of a Primary Care Group will include input from doctors and community nurses, and representation of social services.
§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms he proposes to ensure that medical justification is the prime motive for spending decisions within primary care groups in the new NHS. [45481]
§ Mr. MilburnMedical justification will remain the prime motive for spending decisions in Primary Care Groups. Individual general practitioners will use their clinical judgment to decide, as they do now, what is best for the individual patient. Patients will continue to be guaranteed the drugs and the treatments they need. Participation by GPs within a Primary Care Group, or membership of a Primary Care Group board, will not interfere with their terms of service obligation always to refer and prescribe in the best interests of their patients.