Primary Care Groups

HC Deb 02 February 1999 vol 324 c573W

35. Mr. Darvill

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care groups he expects to commence during 1999. [67194]

Mr. Denham

481 primary care groups will commence on 1 April 1999.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if primary care groups may commission services. [671761

Mr. Denham

Primary care groups will have the capacity to commission services from 1 April 1999. The degree of responsibility for commissioning services will be agreed between the primary care group and the health authority.