HL Deb 03 September 1998 vol 593 c27WA
Lord Clement-Jones

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they anticipate that all Primary Care Groups will be operational by the due date. [HL3279]

Baroness Hayman

We have made clear in the White Paper"The new NHS Modern—Dependable" published on 9 December 1997 that, by 1 April 1999, all general practitioners (and their patients) will be represented within a primary care group. The final shape, the functions and the level at which primary care groups will perform will reflect local circumstances. All appropriate mechanisms will be in place to allow primary care groups to become operational on 1 April 1999.