Queens Speech has nothing for dentistry
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- Published: Friday, 19 June 2015 13:57
- Written by News Editor
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The Queens Speech at the State Opening of Parliament contained no specific mention of dentistry and, to quote the BDA, ‘was devoid of references to reform of healthcare regulation’. There will be legislation to restrict the right to strike for workers in services, such as healthcare. For the NHS the Government’s aim is a ‘shift to seven day a week opening with improved access and better links between services’.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has responded by calling on the government to issue a timetable on its plans to reform health regulation. The call has been supported by professional associations, trade unions and the healthcare regulators themselves and the UK Law Commissions have produced a draft bill on reform of healthcare regulation, but it has not secured any parliamentary time.
Mick Armstrong, Chair of the British Dental Association said: “Britain has over a million regulated healthcare practitioners. That regulation is meant to protect the public, but antiquated laws have come at cost, and not just in time and money. It has hurt patients and practitioners, and it needs to change. This government needs to make time to fix a broken system of regulation. This isn’t rocket science. The Law Commissions have already produced a draft bill that could represent at least a starting point.
“The Department of Health has not been tasked with a single bill in this session, so let’s keep officials from twiddling their thumbs. The Prime Minister made a pledge, and both patients and practitioners expect it to be honoured. We call on the government to set out a clear timetable.”
The BDA has also criticised government plans to undermine bargaining powers for healthcare professionals. Mick Armstrong again: “Dentists have never exercised their right to strike, but we recognise it is a legitimate tool in the arsenal of any profession seeking a better deal. In recent years we have seen colleagues serving vulnerable groups really feel the squeeze. We are seriously concerned that new laws will further undermine the ability of all healthcare professionals to stand up for their rights and for their patients.”
Finally how much or whether the shift to seven day opening will be extended to general dental practitioners is uncertain.
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