§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making on achieving 48-hour access to general practitioners. [12772]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 6 November 2001]: Health authorities were asked to set plans to achieve 48 hour access for 60 per cent. of patients by April 2002. These plans are being monitored through the usual performance management mechanisms. The 60 per cent. milestone is the first on the way to achieving 100 per cent. coverage by 2004.
As part of regular performance monitoring, health authorities were asked to carry out a survey of primary care access on 26 September. Data from the survey are currently being analysed and will be available shortly.