(2) how many NHS dentists in Hemsworth constituency have (a) stopped accepting new NHS patients and (b) decided only to treat patients on a private basis in each of the last five years;
(3) how many people in Hemsworth constituency are on the waiting list for an NHS place at a local dental practice.
This information is not centrally available.
Under the contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to be registered with a national health service dentist to receive NHS care.
It is for local NHS organisations to determine how best to manage patients seeking NHS dental services.
The dental reforms implemented in 2006 gave primary care trusts (PCTs), for the first time, the responsibility for providing or commissioning dental services in their area. It is for PCTs, including Wakefield PCT, to assess local needs, review current service provision and develop services to meet local needs.
Increasing the number of patients seen within national health service dental services is also now a formal priority in ‘The Operating Framework. For the NHS in England 2008-09’. There was a substantial 11 per cent. uplift in overall allocations to PCTs from 1 April 2008 to take account of this. Copies of the framework are available in the Library.
It is for primary care trusts to plan the location of their dental services to best meet the needs of their population.
Validated information on the distance travelled by patients to receive national health service dental treatment can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Under the new contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to be registered with an NHS dentist to receive NHS care.