Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Ninth Report - NHS dentistry
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 964
Published 14 July 2023
Government response
First Special Report - NHS Dentistry: Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2022–23 · published 13 Dec 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
5
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 38
Permanently apply ringfence to prevent diversion of NHS dental funding by ICBs
Recommendation
We welcome the fact that to try and address the underspend, NHS England is applying a ringfence for 2023/24, to ensure that no ICB can divert funding away from NHS dentistry. We recommend that this ringfence applies permanently, and NHS …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, stating they need to build on existing contractual changes but do not commit to making the dental funding ringfence permanent. They are working on further reforms to the 2006 contract in discussion with the profession.
Department of Health and Social Care
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 90
Absence of dental contract in Workforce Plan reflects lack of priority for reform.
Conclusion
We are concerned that the absence of explicit mention of the dental contract in the Long Term Workforce Plan reflects the lack of priority given by the Government and NHS England to contract reform. We believe it indicates a lack …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the committee's concern that the absence of explicit mention of the dental contract in the Long Term Workforce Plan reflects the lack of priority given by the Government and NHS England to contract reform.
Department of Health and Social Care
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25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 121
ICBs' delegated responsibility for dental services offers opportunities for local improvement.
Conclusion
ICBs have been delegated responsibility for commissioning dental services by NHS England. They offer an opportunity to improve access locally, better integrate services around patients and address inequalities.
Government Response Summary
The Government acknowledges that the transfer of responsibility for commissioning NHS dentistry services to ICBs provides a greater opportunity to tailor services around the needs of the local population.
Department of Health and Social Care
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