§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Care Direct.[8569]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 18 October 2001]: As announced in the NHS Plan, the Department will pilot Care Direct in six councils in the south-west of England, starting in 2001.
Plymouth and Somerset commenced on 1 October 2001; Gloucestershire and Bournemouth will follow on 22 and 29 October, respectively. Bristol will commence on 1 November and Devon on 1 December.
As announced in February this year, the second phase of pilots, which will start next year, will include the remainder of the councils in the south-west and a small number of additional councils. The Department will announce shortly who these will be.