General Practitioners: Barnet

Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve access to GP services in Barnet; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bradshaw
It is the responsibility of the local national health service to improve access to general practitioner (GP) services in their own areas.

However, we are advised by NHS London that 2007-08 will see an extra £250,000 made available to practices by Barnet primary care trust (PCT) to improve access to GP services. From 2008-09, £400,000 will be accessible on a recurrent basis to be mainly used to keep surgeries open longer.

The Department’s aim nationally is that at least 50 per cent. of GP practices in each PCT area will be providing extended opening hours at weekends and/or at weekday evenings offering access to routine appointments, based on patients’ expressed views and preferences.