Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Dentistry: Work Requirement

Tuesday 23 July 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • George Freeman asked about requiring newly-qualified dentists to work for the NHS for a set period.
  • George Freeman thanked the Minister and encouraged collaboration for NHS reform.
  • Rachael Maskell highlighted that only 39.2% of her constituents could access an NHS dentist in the past two years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 George Freeman Con Mid Norfolk
NHS
Context

The NHS has faced significant challenges in dental care, with issues such as long waiting times and shortages of dentists. A consultation on a tie-in for new graduate dentists to work for the NHS closed recently.

Question

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring newly-qualified dentists to work for the NHS for a set period of time.

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

I thank the hon. Gentleman and congratulate him on his survival instincts in getting re-elected to this place. NHS dentistry needs urgent action thanks to 14 years of chaos, failure and neglect. Our rescue plan will get NHS dentistry back on its feet, followed by contract reform to make NHS dentistry more attractive. A consultation for a tie-in to NHS dentistry for graduate dentists closed on 18 July and we are now considering the responses. The Government position on this proposal will be set out in due course and I will keep the House updated on this matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific merits of requiring new graduates to work for the NHS were not directly assessed or committed to beyond mentioning ongoing consideration.

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Q2 George Freeman Con Mid Norfolk
NHS
Context

There is a need for modernization and reform of the NHS, particularly in dental services. The speaker proposes a cross-party meeting to discuss these issues, focusing on the establishment of a dental school at the University of East Anglia.

Question

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that answer and congratulate him and his colleague the Secretary of State on their appointments. All of us who are serious about the health service and the need for reform have our back in pushing for reform... May I encourage the Front-Bench team to reach out and have a meeting—a rainbow coalition meeting including new hon. Members—of all MPs in Norfolk, which has suffered more than most counties? We desperately need that University of East Anglia dental school.

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

The hon. Gentleman was doing so well at the start, and then he kind of blew it a bit towards the end. It is absolutely right that we put country before party, and we will work with whoever has the best interests of rebuilding our public services at heart. The issue that he raises specifically sounds interesting. What I would say is that unless we get the bigger picture sorted, and unless we make NHS work pay for dentists, we will not be able to rebuild the NHS dentistry system that we should be cherishing and seeking to reform. I am of course always open to conversations with him.

Not addressed: The specific proposal for a cross-party meeting was not directly addressed; instead, emphasis was placed on making NHS work more attractive financially.

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS
Context

Only a small percentage of the questioner's constituents were able to access an NHS dentist over the past two years, highlighting significant issues in dental care. The Health and Social Care Committee has proposed solutions including tie-ins for new graduates.

Question

Just 39.2% of my constituents were able to access an NHS dentist over the past two years. That is an absolute disgrace... Will the Minister look at that report and follow its recommendations?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

I congratulate my hon. Friend on her re-election; it is wonderful to see her back in her place. She is absolutely right that the tie-in consultation deadline was 18 July. We are considering those responses with an open mind. On the broader issues that she mentions, our rescue plan is 700,000 more appointments, incentives for new graduates to go to under-served areas, reform of the dental contract and making work pay for dentists. That plan is at the heart of the reforms that she mentioned and that is what we will be doing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While mentioning consideration of responses, no specific commitment to follow Health and Social Care Committee's recommendations was given.

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