1st Feb 2006 07:01
Primary Health Properties PLC01 February 2006 Primary Health Properties PLC1 February 2006 PRIMARY HEALTH PROPERTIES PLC ('PHP') GOVERNMENT NHS WHITE PAPER Primary Health Properties ('PHP' or 'the Company') welcomes and supports theinitiatives launched earlier this week by Secretary of State for Health,Patricia Hewitt, in the Department of Health's White Paper, 'Our Health, ourCare, our Say: a New Direction for Community Services'. The Company believes that the Government initiatives will be of benefit to PHP.Such a major change as detailed by the White Paper would, in the Company's view,require a significant upgrading of the UK's current primary healthcare estate toprovide the necessary clinical and best practice facilities. The White Paper proposes greater emphasis on primary care in the treatment ofNHS patients and details "a fundamental shift in focus" whereby five percent offinancial resources (£2.5bn) will be reallocated from secondary (hospitals) toprimary care facilities (GP surgeries, community hospitals) over the next tenyears. As one of the UK's largest private sector providers of modern primary healthcarefacilities, PHP believes it is well placed to meet this demand. Many of itsproperties already fulfil the functions as detailed in the White Paper -including, for instance, minor surgery, diagnostics, gynaecology, ENT, pharmacyand social services. The improvement in primary care facilities in the local community is a keyobjective that PHP shares with the Government. PHP has a strong track record in providing bespoke healthcare centres for theprimary healthcare sector and is committed to increasing its portfolio ofproperties across the UK. - ends - Enquiries: Bell Pottinger Corporate & FinancialDavid Rydell/Zoe SandersTel: 020 7861 3232 Primary Health Properties PLCHarry Hyman, Managing DirectorTel: 01483 306912Mobile: 07973 344768 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Primary Health