Written question asked by Lord Goodman of Wycombe (Conservative) on Monday, 17 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to set up units to carry out minor operations in Buckinghamshire.

Answer: Mr. Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set up units to carry out minor operations in Buckinghamshire. [140003] Ms Rosie Winterton: I have no plans to set up units to carry out minor operations in Buckinghamshire. It is our policy, within the framework set out in the NHS Plan and the `Shifting the Balance of Power' initiative, to devolve funding decisions to the front line. It is now for primary care trusts, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services. They are in the best position to do this because of the specialist knowledge they have of the local community. I am informed by Thames Valley SHA that the development of out of hours arrangements in Buckinghamshire will include emergency minor injury work across the area. Current development of general practitioners with special interests in ear, nose and throat, orthopaedics and plastics will work in the community undertaking minor operations/injuries.

Secondary information