Written question asked by John M Taylor (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 November 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 6 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 (a) to develop family planning clinics and (b) for the development of a career structure for family planning doctors.

Answer: Mr. John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has (a) to develop family planning clinics and (b) for the development of a career structure for family planning doctors. [135886] Miss Melanie Johnson: A stated aim of the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV is to reduce levels of unintended pregnancies, and the provision of good quality contraception services will play a major role in achieving this aim. Contraceptive services should be available through a range of settings including general practice and specialist care settings, and the Department has issued guidance on good practice in commissioning those services, as well as providing additional investment of £1 million this year to improve access. The Department has also convened a group of experts, including representatives from the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Family Planning Association, to define and implement a work- plan to support the improvement of contraception services at primary care trust level. This group will also work with the Faculty of Family Planning to consider issues of staffing and career development.

Secondary information