Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
However, NHS England was unable to tell us how many more dentists it expected these...
Conclusion
However, NHS England was unable to tell us how many more dentists it expected these reforms to produce, or by when they would appear. It told us that a sustainable solution required further engagement with the dental profession on the longer-term elements such as workforce and contract reform.29 NHS England wrote to us following our evidence session to provide more details. It assured us that it sees restoring NHS dentistry services as a critical priority. However, it also confirmed that even before the pandemic when dentists were delivering “around 90%” of contracted care, that equated to only around 50% of adults and 58% of children receiving any NHS dental care at all over the two-year period to December 2019.30 23 Qq 25–26 24 Q 12 25 C&AG’s Report, para 2.14 26 Q 12 27 Q 12 28 Q 15 29 Qq 16–17 30 Letter dated 26 November 2022 from Amanda Pritchard at NHS England to the Committee 12 Introducing Integrated Care Systems 2 Effective and sustainable ICSs Funding and accountability arrangements between the NHS and Local government
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's concerns and states that securing recovery of dental access is a key NHS priority, outlining existing measures such as funding allocations and reforms to the national dental contract.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6.1 The government agrees with the committee’s recommendation Recommendation implemented 6.2. Securing recovery of dental access is a key NHS priority. The pandemic had a significant impact on the delivery of dental services and NHS England is taking steps to recover dental activity and improve access to dental care. 6.3 NHS England provides its regional commission teams and Integrated Care Boards with a combined allocation for dental services, community pharmacy and primary care ophthalmology. In 2022-23 this is £5,440 million and it will rise to £5,597 million in 2023-24. 6.4 One measure of dental access is the proportion of people accessing NHS funded care. The number of unique adult patients seen in the 24 months to the end of 2021-22 was 34%, compared to 50% in the 24 months to the end of 2018-19. The portion of children seen in the NHS has fallen to 45% in the 12 months to the end of 2021-22, from 59% in the 12 months to March 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to services over a two-year period and the NHS is now recovering from this disruption. 6.5 As part of its work to recover services, NHS England published and put into effect the first round of dental contract reforms since 2006 after being asked to lead the NHS Dental System Reform in April 2021. The primary goal of this initial set of reforms was to improve accessibility. NHS England is aware that these efforts are just the beginning and is considering what further action is required to address the root issues affecting delivery. 6.6 NHS dental services are commissioned to provide urgent and routine treatment. People can attend any dentist accepting NHS patients and may therefore access care in a location convenient for them. Where a person is experiencing an urgent dental issue, and they are known to a dental practice, they should contact that practice to attempt to make an appointment. Where the person is unable to secure an appointment, or they are unknown to a dental practice then they should contact NHS 111 for assistance to find an emergency or urgent appointment. 6.7 Further information has been set out in a letter to the Committee, issued alongside the publication of this Treasury Minute on 30 March 2023.