Minister points way forward on contract
- Details
- Published: Saturday, 12 April 2014 11:58
- Written by News Editor
- Hits: 2913
Speaking at the BDA Conference in Manchester, health minister, Earl Howe outlined a future programme for development of the GDS contract. Change would be evolutionary not revolutionary, he said, “We need to get it right. New "prototype" contracts will be introduced in 2015 following a consultation this summer, in which all dentists are urged to participate.
Main points of minister’s speech:
- Consultation documents, outlining broad themes around clinical care, measuring and monitoring outcomes and performance, business issues and remuneration models will be published online soon
- The consultation will take place over the summer with final proposals for a ‘prototype contract’ will be laid out in early autumn.
- These will ‘test not just elements of the system but whole versions of a new contract’.
- Volunteer practices will be recruited to start work on it in 2015/16, before it is rolled out over future years
- The clinical pathway will remain central to any new system.
- Capitation will be a central part of remuneration, together with some payment for quality. But the minister said that “some element of payment related to activity may be needed to deliver a balanced system”.
- The new contract must be delivered within existing resources
- Any new system must ‘command confidence amongst the profession’.
BDA’s response: Dr John Milne, the Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: “It is positive that the Minister has chosen to come to Conference and not only provide much-needed reassurance about the Government’s commitment to reform, but also to set out a timetable and route for the way forward. As he has heard from delegates, significant concerns about the current arrangements continue and the profession is keen that progress is made. Continued engagement with the profession and the practices already involved in the pilots will be absolutely crucial to the success of the reforms and the BDA will continue to stress the need to get this right for patients and dentists alike.”
ADG response: Responding to the speech David Worskett, Chairman of the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) which represents the major corporate and group providers of dental care, said:
“ADG members are heartened and encouraged by the thoughtful and realistic approach now being taken in developing the new dental contract and moving towards a more balanced and sustainable structure for NHS dentistry. In particular we welcome the recognition of the need for a balance to be struck between activity measurement and the increased focus on pathways and prevention. It is also encouraging and helpful to hear the Minister confirm that the Department understands the need to evolve the system over a sensible period of time. This is important so as to avoid the risk that too rapid change could make practices unviable. It is clear that the government has been listening to constructive feedback and advice and we warmly welcome the fact that it is clearly committed to continuing to do so."
What's that nolise?
Patient Charge Revenue and its future methodology - the charging bull elephant in the room?Lord Howe gave an Honorable answer to The Big Lie
Plus when pressed for a fully open and transparent answer on whether he was willing to state publicly to the Auditorium that the NHS Dental system for England was, intrinsically limited, Lord Howe did to his great credit, admit the system was limited.We all knew that of course, but it was nice to have that 'validated' publicly and clearly, because again as we ALL know, unless we are realistic about where we are now, there can be no realistic progress in any imposed changes/reforms planned for after the next General Election, whoever comes to power after May 2015 !!!
So apart from the usual political vagueness and aspirational outlines, there was a chink of 'new' light through the previous shut-door of denial, centrally.
Yours impressed,
Tony.
You need to be logged in to leave comments.
Report