HC Deb 02 May 2000 vol 349 cc44-5W
34. Liz Blackman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to deliver more services in primary care settings. [119088]

39. Ms Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to deliver more services in primary care settings. [119093]

Mr. Denham

Our aim is that, in time, all patients will be able to access expanded primary care services. Primary care groups and, particularly, primary care trusts have a key role in developing such services and making them more convenient, faster and responsive. The additional health resources, which the Chancellor announced in the Budget Statement, offer the opportunity to begin to deliver this aim sooner. We intend to work with the professions and others to grasp that opportunity. Accordingly, improved access to services is one of the main themes of the work of the modernisation action Teams, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched on 12 April.