HC Deb 30 March 2001 vol 365 cc801-2W
Mr. Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Battersea have expanded their practice to treat more NHS patients through the Commitment Payment Scheme since April 2000. [154832]

Mr. Hutton

The information required is not held centrally in the format requested. Information on dental practices is held by health authority.

The number of General Dental Service (GDS) dentists in Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority receiving commitment payments at the different levels for the June 2000 quarter and December 2000 quarter are shown in the table.

Number of dentists
Level of Payments April to June 2000 October to December 2000
Level 1–£25 24 18
Level 2–£112.50 or £168.75 8 12
Level 3–£222 or £333 17 12
Level 4–£334 or £501 32 30
Level 5–£445 or £667.50 7 12
Level 6–£556 or £834 16 15
Total 104 99

The value of a commitment payment paid to a dentist in the GDS depends on their level of commitment. Those who qualify may get a payment ranging from £25 for those doing some work within GDS to £834 for those aged 45 or over who have the highest levels of commitment.

Four regional offices (Northern and Yorkshire, Eastern, London and South and West regional offices) currently hold no draft FBC for NHS hospital trust computer systems.