Agenda item

Attending for this Item from NHS England were:

Richard Yeabsley, Head of Commissioning

Michelle Deenah, Senior Contracts Manager

The HOSC Chairman introduced the Item by reminding Members of the implications of the closure of St Johns Dental Practice in Worcester in May 2016 and, in the knowledge that a wider dental review was being undertaken by NHS England, the request for Officers to attend to provide an overview of dentistry services in Worcestershire.

Members were reminded that there are two types of dental contract:

·         General Dental Services (GDS) – usual contract

·         Personal Dental Services (PDS) – time limited contracts to supply a need in a specific area, which at the end of the contract has three possible routes:

§  to be re-procured

§  to do nothing and therefore the contract and service is ended

§  to elect to transfer to a GDS

In relation to St Johns Dental Practice, although the opportunity to convert to a GDS contract was given, it was not taken up and therefore the PDS contract ceased and the Practice closed.

When asked what lessons had been learned from the St Johns experience, it was reported that a comprehensive strategy with a procurement and negotiation programme had been developed and implemented across the West Midlands, which there hadn't been available at the time of the closure of the St Johns dentist.

In Worcestershire, 9 PDS time limited contracts were due to end by April 2017 and conversations with current providers were already taking place with decisions expected to be taken early in 2017. 

Members were disappointed that Officers could not provide a more detailed overview of Dentistry in the County at the meeting and requested further information be circulated for consideration.

However, in the ensuing discussion, the following key points were raised:

·         The Head of Commissioning recognised that public access to information on dentists was not as detailed as it should be and standards and competencies between Practices may differ, however, patients can access information about individual Dentists and their qualifications from the NHS Choices website.  In addition, many Practices had websites which gave further detail on individuals

·         Some Members believed that children were missing out on good dental care due to a number of factors, including the lack of regular visits by family members, for example due to cost.  In response, the Council's Director of Public Health advised Members that one of the Directorate's duties was around promotion of good oral health and was particularly highlighted through the Health Visitor service and visits to Schools

·         In relation to public engagement, NHS Officers agreed that they need to be clearer with those with whom they contract on how to engage with the public throughout the term of a contract.  Examples were given whereby charges were not clearly displayed, or when there was confusion as to whether treatment was NHS or private

·         It was clarified that Practices administered their own service as they saw fit, and NHS England was not involved at a local level, which was why there was discrepancy in the way in which each Practice operated, particularly in relation to how appointments were made and how patients were informed or reminded

·         Although it was acknowledged that the number of larger organisations operating Practices was increasing, it was not NHS England's intention to contract with only those companies, rather it was vital to consider quality over quantity

The Chairman requested NHS England representatives return in six months to provide an update on the Worcestershire PDS contracts under consideration.