Which? report unbalanced says FGDP(UK)
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- Published: Friday, 10 July 2015 07:51
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The FGDP(UK) is concerned that the Which? report on access to NHS dental services does not provide a balanced view with regard to the constraints on many dental practices in the delivery of NHS care. The Dean, Mick Horton, said: “The report does not discuss the significant challenges experienced by many practices in providing the care that they would wish to as a result of unsatisfactory contracting arrangements with local commissioning bodies.”
In a statement FGDP(UK) said it is clear that ease in accessing NHS dental services is essential in helping to bring about improvements in the oral health of the population, and we support any efforts to highlight care access issues for patients. ‘However, the report does not discuss the significant challenges experienced by many practices in providing the care that they would wish to as a result of unsatisfactory contracting arrangements with local commissioning bodies.
‘The report also makes criticism of the lack of up to date information on the NHS Choices website. We agree that it is essential for patients to have trust in the information that they access regarding their care, and we would urge NHS England to work with providers to improve systems such that the information on NHS Choices can be updated quickly, accurately and easily.
‘Furthermore, while there may be practices with poor websites and inadequate information, it is our experience that most dentists seek to meet the regulatory requirements for good communication and patient information resources, and would consider it to be in their best business interests to ensure that information on treatment, service delivery and NHS provision is comprehensive and up to date.
‘The FGDP(UK) believes that, as a matter of priority, NHS England should address issues regarding inequalities in care access as highlighted in its 2014 Call to Action, and expedite its move towards a new dental contract that supports the profession in enabling access to good standards of NHS care to all those who seek it.’
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