An issue that is often raised with me during my work on behalf of the people of St Austell and Newquay constituency is around NHS dentists.
Cornwall has historically suffered from issues with NHS
dentist provision for a variety of reasons, including our rural nature, but
also more recently the NHS dental contract that was negotiated by the previous
Labour Government, which essentially does not incentivise dentists to treat NHS
patients.
This is something I have done an awful lot of work around, both
behind the scenes with Ministerial colleagues at the Department of Health and Social
Care, but also by doing survey work last year with local people to better
understand dental priorities and the scope of the problems we are facing.
Last week it was good to get an update from the National Director, for Primary Care and
Community Care at NHS England, the body that is responsible for NHS dentistry about
this important area.
Last summer, NHS England enacted the first substantial
reforms to the NHS dental contract in 16 years, bringing in a series of initial
changes that are already making a difference to patient’s and dentists’
experience of the service. These reforms include changes that mean:
NHS dentists are paid more for treating more complex and
high needs patients, including fillings, root canal and teeth extraction,
providing the incentivisation that has previously been needed for dentists to
treat NHS patients
They are increasing dental capacity by making dental
therapists, as well as dentists, able to accept patients for NHS treatments,
providing fillings, sealants, preventative care for adults and children. This
will free up dentists’ time for urgent and complex cases, as well as treating
children.
They now requir contractors to maintain and update their
details on NHS.uk to support patients to find an NHS dentist who can deliver
care locally.
They have granted high-performing dental practices the
opportunity to increase their activity by a further 10% and to see as many
patients as possible.
Through these changes and the hard work of the profession, NHS
England say they are starting to see the early signs of recovery in dentistry.
Over the last financial year, NHS dentists have delivered 30.8 million courses
of treatment, up from 26.6 million treatments during the year before, which is
a 16% increase. And in March, thanks to our reforms to incentivise
high-performing practices to increase their NHS activity, 101% of contracted
activity was delivered on a month-by-month basis, up from 71% in December.
While this is a step in the right direction, there is still
plenty more to be done. Access to vital services in some parts of the country,
including Cornwall is still challenging. Last summer’s reforms are the first
step in a programme of reform, and NHS England have already identified the
focus for their next steps in this area.
Their focus moving forward will be to continue to improve
the system to better incentivise dentists to treat NHS patients, support
patients who don’t currently have access to an NHS dentist, and finally supporting
the professional development of dental teams to help make the NHS a rewarding
place to practice dentistry
The next steps in reform will also consider what more can be
done to move to introduce a preventative approach and an overall improvement of
the nation’s oral health.
NHS England have allocated £3.1 billion to NHS dentistry
services. But as ever with the NHS, it isn’t just about how much money is provided
for a particular issue, it is about ensuring that this money is spent in a way
that is good value for the public and deliver an effective service, and I have
been reassured that they are taking steps to release their funding earlier so
it can be spent in a timely manner in delivering front line support.
Just last week I attended a debate in Parliament on the
progress of reforms to NHS dentistry and I will continue to work locally with
NHS organisations in Cornwall, as well as with the Department of Health and Social
Care, NHS England and Ministerial colleagues to ensure we get a lasting solution
for NHS dentistry that works for local people.
As ever, if I can be of assistance on any matter, my office
is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance – tel: 01726
829379 or email: office@stevedouble.org.uk
