Access and Universal Credit exemptions raised in the Commons
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- Published: Tuesday, 21 November 2017 07:45
- Written by News Editor
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Chi Onwurah MP raised the question of access to NHS dentistry for poorer people and Stephen Timms MP asked about universal credit and exemption from dental charges. Bradford MP Judith Cummins asked for results of a pilot on improving access there. Junior minister, Steve Brine MP, replied.
Chi Onwurah Labour MP for for Newcastle upon Tyne Central asked what plans the health secretary had to ensure better availability of dental healthcare for poorer citizens.
Junior minister Steve Brine replied that access to NHS dentistry was improving. For the 24 months ending 30 June 2017 22.2 million adults were seen, an increase of almost 19,000 over the same period in the previous year and for the 12 months ending 30 June 2017, 6.8 million children were seen by an NHS dentist an increase of almost 8,000 over the same period the previous year. NHS England has a legal duty to commission primary care NHS dental services to meet local needs and to help patients who cannot find a local dentist taking on new patients for NHS care.”
He continued: “All those under the age of 18 (or under 19 and in full time education), who are pregnant or gave birth in the last 12 months, as well as those on specified benefits are exempt from charges and receive free NHS dental treatment. For those not qualifying for exemption but on a low income there may still be full or partial help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. All dental practices holding an NHS contract are required to display a poster, provided free of charge, setting out current NHS Charges and highlighting that patients may be exempt from or entitled to help with charges. The Department also provides all such practices with a patient leaflet setting out patient entitlements in more detail. This information is also available on NHS Choices.”
Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Ham asked questions about which categories of claimants of universal credit are entitled to claim free dental treatment and prescriptions.
Junior minister Steve Brine replied that claimants of Universal Credit will be entitled to free NHS prescriptions and free dental care if their earnings for the most recent assessment period are below prescribed thresholds:
- £435 or less;
- £935 or less if their Universal Credit includes an element for either:
- a child; or
- limited capability for work.
The ‘most recent assessment period’ means the assessment period that ended immediately before the date on which a claimant claimed free NHS prescriptions or free NHS dental care. The period runs for a calendar month. Where claimants claim Universal Credit as a couple, the earnings threshold that applies is either the earnings of the single claimant or the joint claimants’ combined income.
In addition, where claimants who are in receipt of an element for either a child or limited capacity for work, are responsible for a child, or a young person who is aged over 16 and under 19 who is receiving education or are in a traineeship, those children and young persons will be entitled to receive free NHS prescriptions and/or free NHS dental care. Individuals aged 18 who are not receiving education and are Universal Credit claimants in their own right will be entitled to these benefits.
Bradford South MP, Judith Cummins, asked what assessment had been made of the outcome of the recent pilot in Bradford and its surrounding area on improving NHS dental availability.
Junior minister Steve Brine replied that NHS England has advised that the outcome of this pilot has been fed into the commissioning plan agreed within Yorkshire and the Humber to support increased access in identified areas, including Bradford South. Work is ongoing to consider how this will be implemented in this area in 2018/19.
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