Clause 2 - Primary Care Trusts
NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill
6:15 pm
Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford, Conservative)
I can answer that very simply. The hon. Gentleman did not hear what I said; the Bill does nothing to solve the problems facing our constituents, including hospital waiting lists and other health care issues. That is a different point from that raised by the hon. Gentleman.
The clause transfers 75 per cent. of the funding that, under the existing system, goes to the health authorities and the acute trusts directly to the PCTs. That is a significant new responsibility for them because, clearly, they have not had to deal with such matters, which were previously the responsibility of the health authorities. They must also identify and provide for the range of health care within the area that they cover; that is another huge new responsibility.