§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what Government initiatives there are to assist primary care groups experiencing higher than average rates of limiting long-term illnesses. [110361]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 22 February 2000]: Primary care groups will develop their services to meet the needs of their community within the framework of their agreed Health Improvement Programme. The Health Improvement Programme will ultimately combine a range of nationally and locally set targets with particular emphasis on addressing areas of major health inequality in local communities.
As their committees, primary care groups will be supported and developed by their health authorities to take forward the responsibilities for delivering on the targets agreed locally. In addition, they can make full use of the primary care flexibilities, ie Section 36, local development schemes and Personal Medical Services pilots that have been developed nationally.
To further support health authorities and primary care groups a wide programme of national initiatives is being developed to support implementation of the National Service Frameworks, waiting lists and other priorities.