To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total expenditure to date on the introduction of general practitioner fundholding, excluding money transferred to fundholders to purchase health care.
Information is available on payments of the preparatory and management allowances which is provided in the table. These payments have been used by practices to improve and expand their management systems, which will be of benefit to patients. Information on payments made to both potential and existing fundholders in respect of computer systems is not separately identifiable.
| GP fundholding preparatory and management allowances estimated expenditure | ||
| 1990–91 | 1 1991–92 | England total |
| 4,372,387 | 8,032,000 | 12,404,387 |
| 1 April-November Latest available figures are given. | ||
To ask the Secretary of State for Health of the total allocation to general practitioner fundholders for 1991–92 what is the amount allocated for drug prescribing; and what is the amount allocated for purchasing other health care services.
The total allocation in England, to the nearest million pounds was £401 million. This comprised £208 million for hospital services, £162 million for drug prescribing and £31 million for staff costs. GP fundholders may vire between these three elements of the fund in order to provide the care which best meets the needs of their patients.