HC Deb 30 April 1998 vol 311 cc255-7W
Mrs. Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 1998,Official Report, columns 643–44, on Investing in Dentistry, if he will list the successful applications in the South West by parliamentary constituency. [39384]

Mr. Milburn

The table gives details of health authorities in the South West Regional Office area whose requests have been approved, the locations of successful schemes and the relevant Parliamentary constituencies.

Health authority Location Parliamentary constituency
Avon Health Authority Stockwood Bristol, South
Avon Health Authority Bishopsworth Bristol, South
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Authority Cambourne Falmouth and Cambourne
Dorset Health Authority Sherborne Dorset, West
Dorset Health Authority Weymouth Dorset, South
Gloucestershire Health Authority Cheltenham Cheltenham
Gloucestershire Health Authority Cheltenham Cheltenham
Gloucestershire Health Authority Cheltenham Cheltenham
Gloucestershire Health Authority Gloucester Gloucester
Gloucestershire Health Authority Gloucester Gloucester
Gloucestershire Health Authority Dursley Stroud
Gloucestershire Health Authority Newent Forest of Dean
Isle of Wight Health Authority Newport Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight Health Authority Sandown Isle of Wight
North and East Devon Health Authority Cullompton Tiverton and Honiton
North and East Devon Health Authority Bideford Devon, West and Torridge
North and East Devon Health Authority Torrington Devon, West and Torridge
North and East Devon Health Exeter Exeter Authority
North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority Whitchurch Hampshire, North West
Portsmouth Health Authority Fareham Fareham
Portsmouth Health Authority Hayling Island Havant
Portsmouth Health Authority Leigh Park Havant
Portsmouth Health Authority Havant Havant
Portsmouth Health Authority North Portsmouth Portsmouth, North
Somerset Health Authority Yeovil Yeovil
Somerset Health Authority Langport Somerton and Frome
Somerset Health Authority Somerton Somerton and Frome
Somerset Health Authority Bridgwater Bridgwater
South and West Devon Health Authority Tavistock Devon, West and Torridge
South and West Devon Health Authority Brixham Totnes
South and West Devon Health Authority Torquay Torbay
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Romsey Romsey
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Central Southampton Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Southampton East Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Hythe Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Southampton west Southampton Test Itchen and
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Eastleigh Eastleigh
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority Southampton Central Eastleigh
Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority North Baddesley Eastleigh
Wiltshire Health Authority Salisbury Salisbury
Wiltshire Health Authority Salisbury Salisbury
Wiltshire Health Authority Salisbury Salisbury
Wiltshire Health Authority Salisbury Salisbury
Wiltshire Health Authority Salisbury Salisbury
Wiltshire Health Authority Swindon Swindon, North and Swindon, South

Health authority Location Parliamentary constituency
Wiltshire Health Authority Swindon Swindon, North and Swindon South
Wiltshire Health Authority Swindon Swindon, North and Swindon, South
Wiltshire Health Authority Swindon Swindon, North and Swindon, South
Wiltshire Health Authority Swindon Westbury
Wiltshire Health Authority Trowbridge Warminster Westbury

Note:

As at 21 April 1998

Mrs. Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will ensure that the sums from the 1997–98 fund for the Investing in Dentistry initiative which remain unallocated are spent on NHS dentistry; [39378]

(2) pursuant to his answer of 2 April 1998, Official Report, column 645, on investing in dentistry, for what reasons £6.9 million of the money available has not yet been allocated; [39697]

(3) what criteria are used when allocating grants under the investing in dentistry scheme.[39695]

Mr. Milburn

Full guidance was issued to health authorities about making proposals under the investing in dentistry scheme, in September 1997. (Copies of (HSG(97)38) will be placed in the Library.) The scheme is operated only where the requirements of Section 56 of the National Health Service Act 1977 are met.

The criteria used in deciding upon proposals are:

  1. (1) Whether there are sufficient grounds to justify making arrangements to supplement the usual general dental services (GDS) arrangements, under Section 56 of the 1977 NHS Act to address a significant local problem in the provision of GDS.
  2. (2) Whether the proposal would address that problem effectively.
  3. (3) Whether the scheme offers value for money.
  4. (4) Whether the dentists concerned are willing to take on a significant number of new NHS patients and maintain that commitment for a period of at least 3 to 5 years.

Expenditure (that is, funds allocated to successful proposals) is dependent upon appropriate proposals being put forward by health authorities whose function it is to assess local needs, and upon their approval by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.

Funds reserved for the Investing in Dentistry initiative are not available for other purposes. The scheme will continue in 1998/99, with up to £10 million being available to meet the cost of approved grants or incentives and any associated in-year treatment costs for the extra patients brought into care.