§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on the development of primary care trusts. [136588]
§ Mr. DenhamExcellent progress continues to be made in developing primary care trusts (PCTs) with 44 primary care groups forming 40 PCTs in this first year. Over 130 further PCT proposals are now being assessed against national criteria. Final decisions on these proposals will be made shortly with a view to establishing the PCTs in January for an operational start date of 1 April 2001. At least a further 190 PCGs are also considering movement to trust status for 2002.