HC Deb 04 July 2002 vol 388 cc578-9W
Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will issue detailed guidance notes on financial support towards costs GPs incur as owner-occupiers or leaseholders of premises used to provide NHS general practice services. [65378]

Mr. Hutton

For general practitioners (GPs) who work under the national framework for general medical services (GMS), detailed guidance on funding premises is contained in the statement of fees and allowances. Guidance for GPs who work under locally agreed contracts for personal medical services is included in "Personal Medical Services: Comprehensive Guidance". Guidance on the new flexibilities announced on 19 April 2002, will be issued soon. Further guidance will be issued in due course on any further changes to premises arrangements which may be proposed as part of the new GMS contract currently being developed by the national health service confederation and the British Medical Association.