§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funds were provided to Derbyshire family health services authority for reallocation to the other family health service authorities in Trent for dental peer group review in each year since 1991; [20674]
(2) what amounts were reallocated by each family health service authority within Trent regional health authority by Derbyshire family health services authority of the funds provided for dental peer group review in each year since 1991. [20675]
§ Mr. MaloneSince the start of the peer review scheme in August 1991, the Department has reimbursed Derbyshire family health services authority the amounts as shown, for payment to dentists who participated in peer review. Derbyshire family health services authority has620W been nominated to make all peer review payments to dentists in the Trent region and no reallocation of funds by it to other family health services authorities is required.
1997–92 £ 1992–93 £ 1993–94 £ 1994–95 £ Total £ 3,965 44,736 127,176 223,096 398,973
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action she intends to take to improve value for money in the community dental service; [20704]
(2) what out of hours emergency service she intends to require the community dental service to provide to cover shortfalls in the general dental service. [20679]
§ Mr. MaloneThe community dental service is the responsibility of health authorities and national health service trusts. It is for these authorities to ensure that the service is run efficiently and meets the needs of people in the locality, who cannot get treatment in the general dental service. The Government have recently announced their intention to strengthen the "safety net" role of the CDS. Health authorities and trusts will be considering all aspects of this, including the provision of emergency service.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recommendations in the Bloomfield dental report(a) have been implemented and (b) are planned for implementation. [20691]
§ Mr. MaloneSir Kenneth Bloomfield was not asked to make recommendations but rather to identify the options for change. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) on 5 April at cols.1213–15, on the package of reforms which was consistent with Sir Kenneth's report.