Healthwatch Have Low Cost Ambitions for NHS Dentistry
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- Published: Sunday, 14 July 2024 23:18
- Written by Peter Ingle
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Healthwatch describe themselves as Health and Social Care Champions. To quote them: “We make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers hear your voice and feedback to improve care.” They have now published their latest position statement on NHS dentistry. .
While GDPUK readers may focus on the recent BDA meetings with the new Minister, there are many other organisations jockeying for influence, Healthwatch being one that will carry considerable weight.
Their website is a little shy about it, but they are in fact a committee of the Care Quality Commission established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Originally they reported directly to the Department of Health, and in January 2016, in a move seen as downgrading, it was announced that they would now report to the Chief Executive of the CQC. In 2013 the organisation received £33 million in funding. It has been argued that Healthwatch is less effective as a force for positive change than the Community Health Councils it replaced, however it maintains a high profile where it counts, in healthcare decision making.
Access to NHS dental care continues to be one of the main issues they hear about from the public. While Healthwatch approve of the new Government’s Dentistry Rescue Plan, they say that in the longer term more fundamental reforms are needed. Based upon this they have listed their recommendations with eight main ambitions. These are:
- Reforms that allow patients to register with a local NHS dentist in a similar way to GP registration.
- Greater protection of ring fenced budgets by ICBs
- That ICB’s involve Healthwatch more in shaping their services.
- Publicity campaigns targeted at those in need to facilitate their accessing the promised 700,000 ‘new’ appointments.
- Regular updates on the progress of the rescue plan.
- Greater promotion of NHS charge exemptions so patients that are eligible are not put off by costs.
- ‘Full compliance’ by practices with their obligation to update their NHS availability on the NHS website.
- More schemes involving dental practices, GP surgeries, schools, and other services, to deliver prevention and link oral health to other issues, such as smoking cessation.
These are modest requests and would have minimal cost implications. Certainly those who have demanded an NHS dentist for everyone who would like one, will be disappointed by Healthwatch’s limited ambition. Those who imagine that somehow there can be a return to a model that claims to provide comprehensive care to all, will also be disappointed.
In contrast, Jacob Lant is the former the former Healthwatch policy chief who often spoke on dental matters. He is now chief executive of National Voices which speaks for health and social care charities. Perhaps less restrained by connections to government, he recently called for, “a significant expansion of eligibility for free NHS dental care.” Which would have significant financial implications.
It is likely that the BDA in their recent meeting, had something more in mind for dental reform than Healthwatch’s list.
Wes Streeting has bravely said that he is working on the basis that the NHS is “broken.” When unveiled, his fixed version may look rather different to its predecessor.
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