Dental Services 2023-12-05
2023-12-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over the availability of dentistry appointments in the NHS, which impacts other services.
I am concerned about the potential impact of levels of availability of dentistry appointments on other NHS services. What recent assessment has been made?
Integrated care boards are responsible for identifying areas of local need and determining priorities for investment. Guidance was published in October to help ICBs use their commissioning flexibilities.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific impact assessment on other services not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Liverpool has high dental decay rates among children, and there was a £10 million underspend on primary care dentistry that should have been used for preventive care but instead balanced budgets.
I am glad the Minister mentioned ICBs. Liverpool has a very high percentage of children with dental decay. Instead of investing unused funds in preventive care, NHS England gave permission to all ICBs, including Cheshire and Merseyside, to use balances to balance their budgets. Will the Minister agree now to reinstate ringfenced funding for extra capacity for vulnerable patients?
NHS England has provided guidance for ICBs that requires dental funding to be ringfenced, with any unused resources redirected to improve NHS dental access in the first instance. Expenditure against the dental ringfence will be reported as part of financial planning.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct reinstatement commitment not provided
Guidance Provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The former dental Minister previously committed to publishing a dental recovery plan during the summer or before recess, but it was not published. A report on Dental Services is due.
The Government previously promised to publish a dental recovery plan, with the former dental minister stating everyone who needs one should be able to access an NHS dentist. The response to our 'Dental Services' report is due on 14 September. When will the plan and response be published?
The dental report's response will be sent imminently. Both Ministers are looking into community needs, especially in rural and coastal areas, for urgent and preventive care.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific publication date not provided
Looking Carefully
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A dentist in the constituency stopped providing NHS services, leaving patients with nowhere else to go. There was a meeting with ICB about underspend on ringfenced money.
Another dentist in my constituency told constituents they can no longer provide NHS services, and there is nowhere else nearby for them to go. The ICB was specifically told that the ringfence was being disapplied. Does the Secretary of State agree that this money should be spent on dental services?
NHS England has provided guidance, as set out earlier.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement not given
Guidance Provided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Cornwall ICB committed to ringfencing money for dentistry next year but returned £4.5 million due to unmet units of dental activity.
ICBs have received guidance, and Cornwall has committed to ringfencing funds for dentistry next year, yet £4.5 million was returned to NHS England before the commitment. What can be done to ensure Cornwall gets its intended funding?
The ministerial team and I are looking at underspend in dental work. Guidance emphasised that the funding should be ringfenced.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to ensure funding not detailed
Looking Carefully
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister pledged to restore NHS dentistry but is allowing ICBs to raid budgets. Labour's plan includes extra appointments, school toothbrushing, and targeted recruitment in left-behind areas.
I welcome the Secretary of State and her Ministers to their posts. The PM promised to restore NHS dentistry last year, yet allowed ICBs to raid budgets last month. We have a plan for 700,000 extra appointments, school toothbrushing, targeted recruitment, funded by abolishing non-dom tax status. Labour has a plan, but the Government's is four months overdue. Where is it?
I look forward to discussing these matters with her over the Dispatch Box.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct question about the plan not answered
Will Discuss
Response accuracy