§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on the ability of GPs to charge residential care and nursing homes for GP services; and if he has that guidance under review.[157104]
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§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 9 April 2001]: General practitioner services are, and must be, free for patients, including residents of nursing homes. All patients in nursing homes should be registered with a GP practice.
GPs sometimes contract with nursing homes to provide additional services, for example, training for staff. That is different from individual, direct patient services, for which GPs should not be charging their registered patients.
We will investigate any allegations of abuse within the system.