NHS Dentists (Hansard, 17 July 2002)

§ 5. Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)
What recent discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales about increasing access to NHS dentists in Wales. [67876]

§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Paul Murphy)
I have regular meetings with the First Minister and the Health and Social Services Minister to discuss the NHS and other health matters.
The Assembly aims to increase availability of NHS dental service provision in those parts of Wales where it is most needed, and in Wales overall, through the Welsh dental initiative scheme.

§ Ann Clwyd
As my right hon. Friend knows, there are fewer NHS dentists per head of the population in Wales than in any other country in the United Kingdom. Despite 276 the Assembly's best efforts, access to NHS dentists and registering with an NHS dentist remain extremely difficult. That is directly linked to dental fees. The Conservative party was responsible for the growth of privatisation—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The Minister is not responsible for the Conservative party.

§ Mr. Murphy
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question, and she is of course right—whether she is responsible for the Conservative party or not, Mr. Speaker—about the reasons why the NHS dental system in Wales has been so poor. It will take a great deal of time and money to put it right. I know that she is aware that the enormously successful financial settlement that has gone to Wales from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer means that at last proper resources are going into the health service as well as the dental service in Wales.
I should also tell my hon. Friend that there are 42 new dental practices, 41 expanded practices, 15 new posts in community dental services, and five mobile units at each health authority that deals with these matters. She is of course right about fees, and I shall ensure that the First Minister and the Health and Social Services Minister are made aware of the points that she has made.

§ Mr. Simon Thomas (Ceredigion)
Owing to the unfortunate death of a dentist in Aberystwyth, the imminent retirement of a dentist in Lampeter, and the possible criminal conviction of a dentist in Cardigan, thousands of my constituents have been told to travel to Brecon, Ammanford, Milford Haven and areas outside Wales for such services—a two-day journey by public transport for pensioners in my constituency. Will the Secretary of State consider reforming NHS dental fees and talk with the Welsh Assembly about introducing salaried NHS dentists?

§ Mr. Murphy
Of course I shall ensure that those points are made to the appropriate Ministers in the National Assembly. The hon. Gentleman knows that about a decade ago there was a 7 per cent. cut in NHS dentists' fees, and they have not got over that. What is certain is that something like £71 million is now spent on dental services in Wales. I hope that some of that money goes to rural areas, because that is particularly where difficulties lie. I know that in his constituency only 23 dentists deal with the national health service. That is a problem, but I know it is one that the Assembly is tackling.

§ Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent)
Does the Minister recall the statement made by the Welsh Assembly regarding the reorganisation of the NHS in Wales—made by the people who will be responsible for deciding many of the health issues that we have discussed today? Does he recall the Assembly giving a commitment that that reorganisation would be cost-neutral? Now we are told that it will cost £15.5 million. Does he believe that the people responsible for making that commitment should be subject to a compulsory numeracy hour, or was it another cheap public relations stunt by the Assembly?

§ Mr. Murphy
I understand my hon. Friend's point—of course I do—but I know that he understands that, 277 although £10 million to £15 million will be involved in changing the system, in the first instance that will result in more locally provided services. Much more important than all that, however, is the fact that, between now and five years' time, nearly £2 billion extra will go to the health service in Wales because of the spending review of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is only the resources going into those services in Wales that will provide the insurance for our future.