HC Deb 15 December 2003 vol 415 cc759-60W
Mr. Blizzard:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether patients will be able to choose their general practitioner under the Choice and Plurality policies. [140624]

Mr. Hutton:

Patients are already able to choose their general practitioner. "Building on the Best" (Cm 6079), published on 9 December 2003, commits us to extending the opportunities for patients to exercise this choice alongside the new general medical services contract which is now being implemented.

Mr. Blizzard:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the application of his Choice and Plurality policies to patients suffering from mental ill health. [140626]

Mr. Hutton:

On 9 December 2003, the Government published "Building on the Best: Choice, Responsiveness and Equity in the NHS". This strategy document sets out areas for priority action and those for further exploration including recommendations made by the mental health task group. A copy of the document in available in the Library.