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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| NHS dentistry 'facing overhaul' | NHS dentistry 'facing overhaul' |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Ministers have agreed to an overhaul of NHS dentistry - just three years after the last shake-up of the system. | Ministers have agreed to an overhaul of NHS dentistry - just three years after the last shake-up of the system. |
| They have acted after heavy criticism of the 2006 dental contract, which has led to fewer patients accessing care. | They have acted after heavy criticism of the 2006 dental contract, which has led to fewer patients accessing care. |
| The government said it would accept "in principle" the recommendations of an independent review of NHS care. | The government said it would accept "in principle" the recommendations of an independent review of NHS care. |
| Unions welcomed the move which will see income determined by three factors - patient list size, quality of care and the number of courses of treatment. | Unions welcomed the move which will see income determined by three factors - patient list size, quality of care and the number of courses of treatment. |
| It represents a return to patient registration - as called for by the Tories - which was scrapped under the 2006 changes. | It represents a return to patient registration - as called for by the Tories - which was scrapped under the 2006 changes. |
| Both the opposition parties said reform of the system was vital with the Tories branding the 2006 changes a failure and the Lib Dems saying NHS dentistry was a "national disgrace". | Both the opposition parties said reform of the system was vital with the Tories branding the 2006 changes a failure and the Lib Dems saying NHS dentistry was a "national disgrace". |
| This review is a vision of a better deal for both patients and dentists Professor Jimmy Steele, review author Q&A: NHS dentistry | This review is a vision of a better deal for both patients and dentists Professor Jimmy Steele, review author Q&A: NHS dentistry |
| Over the last three years dentists have been working in a system where they were given a set number of courses of NHS treatment to provide to any patient that asked for care. | Over the last three years dentists have been working in a system where they were given a set number of courses of NHS treatment to provide to any patient that asked for care. |
| It was structured so that they were effectively paid the same amount of money to see slightly fewer patients. | It was structured so that they were effectively paid the same amount of money to see slightly fewer patients. |
| The deal was introduced in a bid to end the so-called "drill and fill" culture. | The deal was introduced in a bid to end the so-called "drill and fill" culture. |
| It was hoped that the changes would make NHS work more attractive to the profession - dentists also carry out a significant amount of private practice. | It was hoped that the changes would make NHS work more attractive to the profession - dentists also carry out a significant amount of private practice. |
| But instead of improving access, official statistics show that more than 1m fewer patients have been treated in the two years since it was introduced than the two years before. | But instead of improving access, official statistics show that more than 1m fewer patients have been treated in the two years since it was introduced than the two years before. |
| One of the key problems was that some dentists had used up all their allocation of courses before the end of the year, meaning they had to turn away patients. | One of the key problems was that some dentists had used up all their allocation of courses before the end of the year, meaning they had to turn away patients. |
| Rows broke out between the government and profession over whether this was due to the contract failing or dentists "playing the system". | Rows broke out between the government and profession over whether this was due to the contract failing or dentists "playing the system". |
| 'Unfinished business' | 'Unfinished business' |
| Health Secretary Andy Burnham rejected claims that the 2006 contract had been an outright failure. | Health Secretary Andy Burnham rejected claims that the 2006 contract had been an outright failure. |
| But he added: "I recognise this is an area of unfinished business. We have to make sure the NHS is on the right path." | But he added: "I recognise this is an area of unfinished business. We have to make sure the NHS is on the right path." |
| The proposals put forward by the review, which was led by Newcastle University expert Professor Jimmy Steele, will now be piloted in the autumn. | The proposals put forward by the review, which was led by Newcastle University expert Professor Jimmy Steele, will now be piloted in the autumn. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Perhaps one day there will be a review where the public will be asked for their opinion Rob Allsopp, Oldham Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Perhaps one day there will be a review where the public will be asked for their opinion Rob Allsopp, Oldham Send us your comments |
| As well as the changes to the contractual arrangements, the report said patients needed to be provided with better information. | As well as the changes to the contractual arrangements, the report said patients needed to be provided with better information. |
| Local helplines are to be set up and NHS Direct given information about which dentists have spaces on their books for NHS patients. | Local helplines are to be set up and NHS Direct given information about which dentists have spaces on their books for NHS patients. |
| It also suggested the three bands of patient fees - NHS patients contribute towards the cost of their care - should be widened to up to 10 bands as the current arrangements were overly simplistic. | It also suggested the three bands of patient fees - NHS patients contribute towards the cost of their care - should be widened to up to 10 bands as the current arrangements were overly simplistic. |
| The changes will also need a clear set of targets to be produced so that the quality element of dental income can be determined. | The changes will also need a clear set of targets to be produced so that the quality element of dental income can be determined. |
| Nonetheless, Professor Steele said he was confident the proposals would work. | Nonetheless, Professor Steele said he was confident the proposals would work. |
| "This review is a vision of a better deal for both patients and dentists. I think there is a will to change." | "This review is a vision of a better deal for both patients and dentists. I think there is a will to change." |
| John Milne, of the British Dental Association, which was highly critical of the 2006 changes, said the measures offered an opportunity to improve care. | John Milne, of the British Dental Association, which was highly critical of the 2006 changes, said the measures offered an opportunity to improve care. |
| But he said: "Clearly, the detail of how that approach will be delivered will be vital." | But he said: "Clearly, the detail of how that approach will be delivered will be vital." |
| Anthony Halperin, of the Patients Association, said the changes were much needed because the current arrangements had "fundamental flaws". | |
| He said the re-introduction of registration was particularly welcome as it would help to build a relationship between dentist and patient. | |
| "We look forward to a system where the patient is assured of quality care." |