§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce NHS Direct to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [143817]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has sought to introduce a pilot project based on the NHS Direct concept in the Western Health and Social Services Board area to test the system locally. Two bids were made for Executive Programme Funds to support this initiative but these were unsuccessful. The Department is currently engaged in the development of a Primary Care Strategy Framework document that will identify those issues that matter to people who use the service. The Strategy will determine the priority to be accorded to various initiatives to be introduced to primary care over the next 20 years.