Issue - meetings

Members welcomed Mr Tom Knight from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, who presented to the Board a report which updated them on dental services in Halton; the local dental improvement plan progress; and the publication of the national dental recovery plan. 

It was reported that access to dental care remained one of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s key priorities.  However, access to NHS dental services was impacting negatively on patients on a local, regional and national level.  Many performers on NHS contracts had switched from providing NHS care to private care, resulting in national workforce challenges.  This was due to the NHS contract no longer being an attractive option both professionally and financially.

The report described how the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Dental Improvement Plan 2023-34 facilitated an increase in access from 2023-24 and led to a number of providers offering urgent care and urgent care plus.  Additionally, a pathway was created for looked after children and vulnerable patients such as those receiving cancer treatment.

The Cheshire and Merseyside Dental Improvement Plan 2024-26 was presented to the Board.  The local plan would focus on five key pathways which focussed on routine access for all; these were explained in detail.  It was reported that under the New Patient Premium and Golden Hello incentives within the National Dental Recovery Plan, Halton had 4 practices and one practice respectively, opting into the schemes.

Member’s questions were taken and the following additional information was provided:

·       Under the New Patient Premium scheme patients would be seen as they usually were, so based on their individual health needs.  Some patients attended every 6 months, some every 12 months;

·       One Member shared the experience of one of her constituents with a  child who was turned away from a dentist in an emergency – further information would be provided to Mr Knight following the meeting;

·       The NHS had no jurisdiction over private practice;

·       The dentists in Halton who were included in the above schemes must advertise on their websites when space becomes available for new patients;

·       The numbers of NHS dentists lost across Cheshire and Merseyside was considered alarming; Mr Knight would check the numbers lost in Halton since his last visit to the Board;

·       As mentioned above two of the main challenges were the numbers of dentists leaving the profession and the unattractiveness of NHS contracts; and

·       The Cheshire and Merseyside Dental Improvement Plan 2024-26 included looking at different types of contracts for dentists and also other staff such as hygienists and nurses.

RESOLVED:  That the report is noted.