HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc466-7W
24. Mr. Forth

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost to date of establishing(a) primary care groups and (b) primary care trusts. [92611]

Mr. Denham

The establishment of Primary Care Groups has been funded using moneys released by the abolition of fundholding. The first Primary Care Trust will be established early next year. The cost of establishing Primary Care Trusts, like those of PCGs, will largely be met using moneys released by the abolition of fundholding. The previous Government had set aside an annual budget of £180 million to run fundholding. We have used those moneys both to set up Primary Care Groups and to improve services to patients.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners have yet to agree to participate in a primary care group. [93906]

Mr. Denham

All general practitioners are part of, and covered by, a Primary Care Group. However, it is for individual general practitioners to choose how they wish to participate in the operation of their Primary Care Group.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will publish its response to the Health Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Primary Care Groups (HC 153). [94788]

Mr. Denham

The Government's response to the Health Committee's Report on Primary Care Groups is published today and copies will be placed in the Library. The Government welcome the Committee's report and are pleased that the Committee supports the Government's policy that underlies this initiative.