HC Deb 13 March 1997 vol 292 cc312-4W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the dates on which patients raised complaints in each of the cases referred to Greater Glasgow health board by the Scottish dental practice division, in which the national health service tribunal found Mr. W. J. Duff had provided unnecessary treatment. [19048]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: These cases were referred to the tribunal following reports by regional dental officers; no complaints were made by the patients involved.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what general conclusions were reached by regional dental officers from their inspections of Mr. W. J. Duff's patients on 25 August 1986 and subsequently. [19049]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: Regional dental officers undertake independent clinical examinations of individual dental patients and pass their findings of fact to the dental practice division of the Common Services Agency. Any adverse reports are then passed to the Scottish dental practice board which forwards a copy to the relevant health board. The health board then decides what further action to take. It is no part of the function of regional dental officers to draw general conclusions.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients of Mr. W. J. Duff have complained to date that they were not told in advance what treatment was to be carried out by him. [19051]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: One.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will request sight of the reports provided by the director of practitioner services to Greater Glasgow health board on the circumstances surrounding the case of Mr. W. J. Duff; [19052]

(2) if he will publish the paper on Mr. W. J. Duff requested by Greater Glasgow health board at its meeting on 18 February; [19053]

(3) if he will publish the report of the Director of Practitioner Services to Greater Glasgow health board on the circumstances surrounding the case of Mr. W. J. Duff. [19411]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: When the requested material has been prepared, it will be discussed by Greater Glasgow health board at a future meeting, during that part of its proceedings at which members of the public may be present. Once the paper or papers are in the public domain, I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a copy.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that money received from Mr. W. J. Duff by Greater Glasgow health board is applied directly for the benefit of his former patients. [19054]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: Greater Glasgow health board has not as yet received any money from Mr. Duff. The sums due, or which may become due, from him fall into two categories. The first comprises sums for payment to former patients who are likely to incur additional expenditure in obtaining further treatment required as a result of Mr. Duff's failure to comply with his terms of service. The second comprises sums in the nature of fines for failure to comply with the terms of service. My right hon. Friend has no power to ensure that such sums are applied for the benefit of patients.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a financial contribution to the voluntary support group organised by former patients of Mr. W. J. Duff. [19133]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: No. Funding for NHS general dental services may be used only for the purposes set down in statute which do not include assistance to voluntary support groups.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients were registered with Mr. W. J. Duff in each year since he began practising; and what was the highest number of patients registered with any dentist in Scotland in each of these years. [19263]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: A new contract for the provision of NHS general dental services was introduced in October 1990, including, for the first time, the registration of patients under continuing care or capitation arrangements. The information requested is listed in the table for financial years 1991–92 to 1994–95:

Number of patients registered under NHS continuing care and capitation arrangements with Mr. W. J. Duff and the highest number of patients registered with an NHS principal dentist in Scotland 1991–92 to 1994–95
Dentist 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
Mr. W. J. Duff 1 847 1,603 1,930 1,451
Dentist with highest number of registrations2 1,126 2,338 3,726 5,788
1 Mr. Duff ceased practising NHS general dental services in summer 1994.
2 A dentist may hold more than one contract within a health board or within Scotland. A dentist may have more than one practice or may have patients registered with him/her who are treated by an assistant or vocational trainee.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors led to the inspections of Mr. W. J. Duff's patients by regional dental officers on 25 August 1986. [19564]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 March 1997]: Each year, regional dental officers undertake clinical examinations on a small number of patients of every dentist in Scotland providing NHS general dental services. The patient sample is chosen at random.