§ 21. Mr. HeathTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of information technology for general practitioners under the new GP contract. [142564]
§ Mr. HuttonPrimary Care Trusts, rather than individual general practitioner practices, will be responsible for funding the purchase and maintenance of information technology systems. This will form part of Integrated Care Record Services that will be implemented by the National Programme for IT. This has been supported with £20 million additional funding.
§ 22. Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new whole time equivalent general practitioners have taken up post since 1999. [142565]
§ Mr. HuttonThe estimated number of additional whole time equivalent general practitioners, who have taken up post between September 1999 and June 2003 is 5,750.