National Health Service Problems In Great Britain: Dental Industry Reaction

Recently, the British Public Account Committee (PAC) – an organization that examines government expenses – released a comprehensive report on the National Health Service's (NHS) financial sustainability.

The paper highlights particular problems with the deficit of funding and other critical details affecting general NHS effectiveness as a healthcare services provider. According to the report, the most significant issues include the NHS's struggle with adequate budget planning, regular budget overspending, and inability to manage resources properly.

The PAC article also covers NHS dentistry, and the reaction of the state's dental regulators is particularly interesting in that case.

Industry's feedback

Leo Briggs – the deputy head of the Dental Defence Union – was satisfied with the new PAC publication because it focuses on the worsening year-by-year financial issues in NHS. This situation prevented or at least significantly slowed the reforms aimed at controlling the costs of clinical negligence cases.

According to Leo Briggs, the latter is a critical issue these days, causing workplace pressure on practicians. Dental Defence Union surveys showed that due to this problem:

• 41% of responders are planning to cut their working hours
• 31% plan to leave dental practice or retire

Additionally, 80% of the surveyed reported having quite pessimistic feelings regarding the NHS's future. Currently, this system is in deep need of legal reforms, and the Dental Defence Union provides the PAC with a package of measurements that can help to improve this part of the NHS program.

Where is the money?

Shawn Charlwood – chair of the British Dental Association – said that the report appeared just in time, so the government should consider it and thus improve the sinking initiative. In his response, he noted:

"The health committee provided an instruction manual to save this service. What's remained missing to date is the sustainable funding to deliver it. Ministers say they want to shift the focus from hospital to community, but their spending plans tell a very different story."

What's next?

PAC initiated a new inquiry aimed at improving NHF dentistry, one of the crucial parts of primary care. This initiative is currently accepting evidence that can help refresh and update NHS policies, including crucial topics such as dental contracts, the fall in the number of dentists, and government support for NHS dentistry.