Written question asked by Howard Stoate (Labour) on Thursday, 7 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 January 2010. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

General Practitioners

Question: (2) if he will take steps to increase the number of GPs with special interests in (a) obesity, (b) weight management, (c) nutrition, (d) dermatology, (e) sexual health, (f) respiratory health, (g) diabetes and (h) cardiovascular disease.

Answer: It is for primary care trusts to determine the best ways of meeting the health and health care needs of their local populations, including the potential contribution of general practitioners (GPs) with special interests towards the Government's overall objective of moving care closer to patients where it is appropriate and safe to do so. It is also for primary care trusts to decide in detail what information to publish about the services available locally.

Secondary information