Eddie Crouch interview [part 2]
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- Published: Tuesday, 19 November 2013 07:28
- Written by News Editor
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In the second part of this interview, Eddie Crouch answers further questions about the pilots, GDPC, LDCs and his own future.
GDPUK: Turning now to matters relating to GDPs and the GDPC, what are your concerns with the current pilots and the BDA’s involvement with the process?
Eddie: My growing concerns with GDPC business is the speeding up of the pilot process for contract reform to comply with a timetable set by the politicians to fulfil an electoral pledge to change the dental contract within their term of office. I shouldn’t be surprised as there are multiple examples of where learning from pilots has been either abandoned or ignored allowing railroading. The introduction of 111 on the 1st April was yet another example of how the coalition ignored advice from the BMA with the consequential car crash.
GDPUK: Any piloting tends to be artificial and the problems arise when they are rolled out. There is also a danger surely that the GDPC will be closely associated with another unpopular contract. What do you think?
Eddie: Clearly there is little evidence to prove anything in the pilots apart from patients liked more time with clinicians and that a prevention approach makes great sense. The practicalities of introducing that are far from clear and clearly GDPC in its determination to seek contract reform away from failed UDAs need care not to be associated with a contract that may fail unless robust enough on introduction. We do need to set out our stall for what is acceptable to allow good patient care and some hard discussions will need to be had on what the NHS offer is and how it is funded by tax and patient charges.
GDPUK: Are the omens good now that NHS England is responsible for commissioning rather than PCTs?
Eddie: Commissioning dentistry has been in the main a very disjointed affair since 2006, with those able to survive the tender process being successful, rather than those who may delivery patient care to high levels. Too often it has been more by accident than planning if this has happened. The Health and Social Care Bill is showing flaws in the tendering process already for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and NHS England and the financial funds available to Local Dental Networks (LDNs) makes me worry that the “clinical led NHS” is still words rather than action. The bruising of the outgoing CEO of NHS England with his involvement in South Staffs, has allowed the new Health Secretary to politically influence despite reassurances that the changes were to prevent that.
GDPUK: How are involved in clinical dentistry now?
Eddie: I am working three clinical days a week in Orthodontic practice in Birmingham, where waiting lists continue to frustrate daily working. I have nearly used all my allocated UOAs for this year and the waiting lists continue to grow. Few patients feel any ability to influence commissioners, and instead complain to the providers rather than those that hold the purse strings. More frustratingly the dental budget for Birmingham continues to be eroded by claw back and contract closures being used to plug other areas of the NHS or efficiency savings.
GDPUK: What is the future for Local Dental Committees?
Eddie: I have been privileged to be a part of Birmingham LDC for a decade now, and I believe the LDC has punched above its weight at national level with many issues it raises being considered. The actions of Birmingham LDC in 2005 were correct in opposing the contract changes of 2006, but unfortunately the advocates of the changes then still begrudge Birmingham LDC for its legitimate stand.
GDPUK: And LDCs relationship with the BDA?
Eddie: LDCs will need to support GDPC if the BDA coffers are stretched, to ensure those that will be affected by contract reform have the appropriate representation from the GDPC.
GDPUK: What now for Eddie Crouch dento-politically?
Eddie: I have never had a career plan for dental politics; I got involved because I was angry and I found others supported my anger and mirrored my beliefs that insufficient was being done to change obvious failings. So again it is for others to decide my political future, GDPC chose to support John Milne to complete his task as Chair of GDPC albeit his term of office will finish before any contract reform. The political landscape may be very different in just over a year when John steps down in January 2015, and I will have to decide nearer to that time if I have anything that may get support from my peers to offer dental politics. I may however offer my services to his executive at the elections in January 2014 and GDPC can decide if they want me back!
GDPUK: Thank you, Eddie, for talking to GDPUK
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