‘Consider the unintended consequences’: the dental profession has criticised the Welsh government’s approach to NHS dental reform.
In an open letter to the cabinet secretary for health and social services, Jeremy Miles, the British Dental Association (BDA) called for honesty from the government. The union said claims of ‘significant investment’ actually translate to cuts in government spending.
It also called for the government to rule out further increases to NHS patient charges. In the letter, the BDA labelled the hikes as ‘stealth’ cuts that do not result in extra investment into NHS dental provision. Increases are typically announced in March and take effect from 1 April.
The open letter follows communication from Jeremy Miles that was sent to dentists in January confirming a 6% pay uplift if four conditions are met.
It said: ‘The Welsh General Dental Practice Committee (WGDPC) have rejected all offers on the grounds that 6% is not sufficient to meet the DDRB recommendation on dentist’s pay and are not willing to negotiate further.
‘This is disappointing given the current financial climate for public services and that the level of investment being offered is the largest annual uplift in living memory.’
‘Significant modifications’ needed
The BDA accused the minister of a ‘display of bad faith’ over the messaging in the letter. It also criticised the decision to tie the uplift to a number of conditions.
‘We maintain our policy position that it is unprecedented to retroactively tie new contractual conditions to back pay, and we consider it counterproductive,’ the BDA said.
‘For several years now the process of annual contract variation has itself given the opportunity for frequent reforms of contract conditions as part of that annual offer. That should surely be
enough progress with reform changes. Several of the ‘strings” attached to the 6% incur unfunded additional costs to practices.’
It added: ‘We urge Welsh government to think again about these “strings” and to consider the unintended consequences that may arise. We would be willing to meet with government officials to discuss these in a non-negotiation space as part of our ongoing support of contract reform. We would hope that significant modifications to the conditions could be agreed in a collegiate manner.’
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