Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton Excerpts

Tuesday 25th January 2011 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con)]

1. What recent progress he has made in introducing GP commissioning consortia.

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

3. What recent progress he has made in introducing GP commissioning consortia.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley)]

Last week, I announced the second wave of GP-led pathfinder consortia. There are now 141 groups of GP practices piloting the future GP commissioning arrangements. Those groups are made up of more than 4,000 GP practices, with over half the population starting to benefit from services that better meet their needs and improve outcomes for patients. The Health and Social Care Bill, which had its First Reading last week, sets out the legislative framework that supports our reforms.

[Mark Lancaster]

Consortia in Milton Keynes have been given £1 per patient as a transition fund. That money is most welcome. It will rise to £2 per head next year. The problem, however, is that the fund is proving hard to access because of the bureaucratic nature of the local primary care trust. Will the Secretary of State look into that and ensure that the money is accessible?

[Mr Lansley]

I entirely understand my hon. Friend’s point. The PCT’s role is to support the development of consortia, not inhibit it. The operating framework that was published last month sets out the range of support that PCTs should be offering emerging consortia. Milton Keynes PCT has confirmed that it will actively support Premier MK, one of two consortia in the area, with its application to become a pathfinder, and that it is actively working with another consortium in the Milton Keynes area.