§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to encourage the use of diagnostic tests in(a) general practitioner surgeries and (b) pharmacies to reduce referrals to secondary care; and if he will make a statement. [169710]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department is committed to improving access to diagnostic services in primary and community settings to prevent inappropriate hospital visits.
Work is under way to develop the role of practitioners with special interests in primary care to undertake outpatient appointments and to help improve access to diagnostics and treatment. The National Primary and Care Trust Development Programme is providing specific support to strategic health authorities and primary trusts to help expand the range of services provided locally.
The new contractual framework for community pharmacy, once agreed, will recognise the increasing role community pharmacies are playing in providing access to diagnostic testing.