GDC’s published accounts show reserves continue to rise
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- Published: Thursday, 09 July 2020 08:35
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In its latest update the GDC has published their latest accounts for 2019. They show their reserves have risen to £38.4 million, up from £24.6 million the previous year. This amounts to £280 from every dentist and £40 from every DCP going into their reserves from registrants’ Annual Retention Fee. They GDC has also offered advice on returning to work.
The General Dental Council points out that its Annual Report and Accounts provides details of their financial performance as well as a summary of the activities they have delivered through their business review for 2019. However, they say, “the world we now work and live in is significantly different to the one at the end of last year as the impact of COVID-19 continues to have a significant effect on our lives. We are very aware of the severe effect the suspension of routine dental care and services has had in preventing dental professionals from providing the patient treatment and care they want to – and in some cases has caused financial difficulties.
Despite all this and the large amounts in its reserves, the GDC has resisted calls from across the profession to reduce the Annual Retention Fee or allow it to be paid by instalments. They conclude: “We recognise that these unprecedented events will have a profound and long-lasting effect on the profession, and on how dental services will be delivered in the future.”
The GDC has published its Annual Report and Accounts 2019 on its’ website.
GDC offers advice on re-opening practices and returning to work
The outbreak of COVID-19 has put us all in new and unfamiliar territory. It is an unprecedented event, and has affected people and families across the UK in different ways, due to our varying circumstances, professions, and backgrounds. The return to work will undoubtedly throw up a series of new scenarios that will need to be considered and carefully assessed in relation to the circumstances and the situation you now find yourself in. Guidance from each of the four nations has been issued for the reopening of dental practices, but it cannot cover all situations, environments or circumstances, and will need to be adapted.
Judgements will need to be made as to how to proceed. Where decisions are based on the national guidance and a thorough and evidenced assessment of risks, and where the mitigations identified are clearly recorded and followed, there should be no unease about regulatory intervention. As dental professionals, you are best placed to make these judgements, particular to the circumstances of your practice, dental team and patients. We have shared a lot of guidance on our website on returning to work, and will continue to update our signposting as new guidance is issued. If you need further advice or clarification, you may find it useful to speak to your indemnifier.
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