To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for future levels of spending in GP surgeries, with particular reference to services for hard to reach vulnerable patients. (209498)

We are committed to working with general practitioners (GPs) to reduce health inequalities and to improve access to services, particularly for hard to reach vulnerable patients. Our new contract introduced in 2004 saw record investment in primary medical care—an extra £2.7 billion since 2002-03.

Through NHS Employers, we have been consulting the British Medical Association on a package of investment of up to £100 million through existing GP practices to further improve care and services for patients. This will included targeted improvements especially for vulnerable patients such as those with severe learning difficulties.