Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the optimum length of contracts for the provision of GP services by clinical commissioning groups in terms of (a) raising health levels at a primary care level, (b) ensuring value for money for the taxpayer and (c) determining that investment in primary care services is ensured; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has not made an assessment of the optimum length of contracts.

It is for local commissioners to decide determine the best length of core primary care services commissioned under Alternative Provider Medical Services contracts and additional non-primary care services commissioned by clinical commissioning groups using the NHS Standard Contract. This is because different levels will be appropriate depending on the local situation.