Kenny's Update 25th April 2021

April 25th Lincolnshire LDC Update Number 53

As I mentioned in our previous Update, we will now be sending out on a fortnightly basis. However, as things settle and less new information becomes available, it could well be these Updates may become a monthly feature.

The LDC is always available for advice and support for ALL our practices in Lincolnshire and we can be contacted at lincsldc@gmail.com

Since we last sent an update, most members of our dental teams will now have received the second vaccination. I’m sorry if some of you did not get the vaccination on the dates you expected. There was a supply and organisational difficulty at Mablethorpe which contributed to these delays. If you know of anyone still waiting please let us know at the above email address.

Access to care / Recruitment and Retention.

These topics take up much discussion at local level and I know Jason and Shawn are voicing their concerns at a national level. These issues are not confined to Lincolnshire. All rural counties are struggling with recruitment and retention which therefore impacts on access. For a multitude of reasons, Lincolnshire is particularly affected and whilst much work is going on trying to help with this problem……….. There is no quick fix.

The problem is not confined just to dentists but to DCPs with practices reporting difficulties in recruiting staff at all levels.

On a positive note, the Talent Academy, assisted by several members of our Committee, recently held an evening aimed at years 11 and 12 giving these students insight into the application process to dental school and what is involved in becoming a dentist. Students who are educated in Lincolnshire have more of a chance of returning after graduation and we should be encouraging them. Our Committee members did a great job on the night and if you can, please try and do your bit, particularly regards offering work experience when the opportunity presents.

Orthodontic service in Lincolnshire

How is everyone getting on in trying to refer patients for treatment?

We know this is a major problem and I have referred to this several times in previous updates. You may remember a recent orthodontic procurement was curtailed due to legal challenges. A Needs Assessment at the time indicated Lincolnshire required circa 46,000 UOAs on top of existing GDS provision. Currently only 31% of this projected need is being delivered. Small wonder we are in the position we find ourselves in.

Because of manpower issues Secondary Care have curtailed their acceptance criteria and so for example large over-jets over 9mm are now being automatically rejected and returned to Primary Care …… where there is no capacity. This treatment is often time sensitive and if there are delays the only option may be surgical intervention with the all the risks this involves, not to mention costs, to the NHS.

This lack of service greatly highlights the health inequalities evident in Lincolnshire compared to neighbouring counties. To access care, patients entitled to NHS treatment are forced to travel to Doncaster, Kettering, Leicester and it would seem all points North, East South and West. Not all parents have the time or the means to do this. The alternative is to go down a private route and again only the lucky few have this option.

A meeting with NHSE has been arranged for the first week in May to discuss their business plan. I’ll keep you posted.

A guide to help you complete the Coronavirus year-end declaration

NHS practices in England are this year required to complete a Coronavirus 2020-21 year-end declaration. We know that some practices may be concerned about completing this new form so the BDA have created guidance to help you .

The Coronavirus year-end declaration is a result of the conditions attached to the NHS contract payments.

During the pandemic NHS England continued to make contractual payments on the proviso that practices complied with their requirements, such as ensuring associates and staff were paid at previous levels. In completing the form, practices must make a 'declaration of compliance' with these requirements.

The BDA guidance explains as best we can what information is expected from your responses. Practices who cannot demonstrate compliance may face contractual action. We do not yet know what that action may entail but if payments were made subject to conditions, and the conditions were not met, then it is possible that some or all of those payments will be retracted. We are waiting for further clarification on this.

The BDA advice team is ready to help with any questions in relation to possible action by local area teams. It would be helpful to us to build up a picture of action being taken by different local area teams.

The Coronavirus 2020-21 year-end declaration eform opened in Compass this week and must be completed by 11:59pm on 31 May 2021.

And Finally …………… A date for your diary is Tuesday 25th May when we will be holding our AGM. This will be online via Teams and invites will be sent closer to the event. I hope everyone enjoys the sunshine and has had the chance to relax over the weekend.

Best wishes

Kenny Hume Chair Lincolnshire LDC