§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the current situation in Greenwich and Bexley regarding the processing of formal complaints regarding NHS dental treatment.
§ Dr. MawhinneyGreenwich and Bexley local dental committee has decided to withdraw its co-operation from dental service committees which are the statutory local bodies set up to investigate complaints alleging that a dentist has breached his or her terms of service. The National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations require that dental service 631W committees include dental practitioners nominated by the local dental committee. Therefore, for the present, dental service committee investigations cannot be conducted for this family health services authority and three complaints are awaiting investigation. I very much regret that some dentists have decided to take action which disrupts this service to patients. I hope they will agree to resume co-operation.
§ Mr. DoverTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that the service of salaried dentists will be made available throughout the family health services authority covering the Chorley constituency.
§ Dr. MawhinneyAn application for approval to appoint a salaried dentist to provide treatment in the Chorley and South Ribble area was received on 1 December. We are dealing with the application as a matter of priority.
§ Mr. DoverTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the pay review body for dentists is due to commence and complete its investigations.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 9 July 1992 that Sir Kenneth Bloomfield had been appointed to carry out a fundamental review of the dental remuneration system. Sir Kenneth has been asked to report before the end of the year.