Three weeks ago he described the NHS as "broken". Now a ‘stunned‘ Health & Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, has described the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as "unfit for purpose".
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Both the outgoing government and the incoming administration have made clear that there are clear priorities for NHS dentistry. Many efforts are focussed upon dealing with priority groups, those with dental emergencies, and reducing inequalities. A recent study has driven home the frequent connection between all three concerns.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has drawn attention to a wide ranging Ipsos GP Patient Survey, published by NHS England, which has revealed that 5.6 million adults tried and failed to access an NHS dental appointment over the past two years.
Read more: Almost Half Of Adults Have Not Seen A Dentist For 2 Years
Concerns about an impending ban on the use of mercury containing amalgam in dentistry have been particularly pressing in Northern Ireland. NHS dentistry there has been having at least as difficult a time as in any of the other four nations, with the familiar challenges of inadequate funding and access problems.
A dentist who left the UK after being removed from the register in 2000 has now been charged over the death of a patient in France.
Read more: Dentist Charged Over Death in France Had Been Banned in UK
Following the publication last week of the team that will comprise Keir Starmer‘s Department of Health & Social Care, the individual ministerial responsibilities have now been assigned. Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock will be overseeing ‘primary care‘ which comprises the GP service, pharmacy, eye care and dentistry.
“Are you spending a lot of your time taking copious notes and keeping records in meticulous and detail? [sic] Do you feel like your time would be better spent with your patients?”
Read more: The GDC and Record Keeping - Is Narrative Changing?
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. .
Read more: Healthwatch Have Low Cost Ambitions for NHS Dentistry
Following the appointment of Wes Streeting as Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signed off on the remaining members of the Health and Social Care team.
Read more: Starmer Concludes Health Team Ministerial Appointments