Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the report which had arisen as a result of a Member’s Item in the name of Councillor Mittra at the Committee’s meeting in July 2015.  The Chairman noted that when the Committee last considered the item in October 2015, NHS England (NHSE) had not attended and so the Committee had resolved to request their attendance again. 

The Chairman invited Julie Pal, Chief Executive of Community Barnet, Mike Rich, Head of Healthwatch Barnet, Rita Patel, Regional Lead (North London) - Dental, Optometry and Pharmacy (NHSE) Services, and Claire Robertson, Consultant in Dental Public Health, to the table.

Mr. Rich informed the Committee that their initial findings had shown that half of nearly 50 Practices that they had looked at had been unable to offer adults NHS appointments.  The Committee noted that Healthwatch had then decided to look at 53 practices across the Borough that actively offer treatment and check ups.    The Committee noted that the practices were asked the same questions for consistency and that the Healthwatch volunteers made the mystery shopping calls by telephone between December 2015 and early January 2016. 

The Committee noted the Healthwatch report had the following findings:

·         36% (19 Practices) said they could not currently offer adults an NHS appointment.

·         25% (13 Practices) could not currently offer children a NHS appointment. 

·         That the majority of Practices that were able to offer appointments for NHS treatment could do so within two weeks and many before this.  Five practices reported that they had used up their full allocation of NHS appointments for this year and that they may be able to offer an appointment in March/April when they had received their new allowance.

·         Four Practices reported that they would accept patients who were in receipt of benefits, but not NHS patients not on benefits. 

Mr. Rich informed the Committee that the initial research had come from complaints so Healthwatch had decided to investigate the matter.  Healthwatch reported that they had found that there are considerable numbers of NHS Dentists in Barnet who cannot offer NHS dentist appointments. 

Ms. Patel informed the Committee that NHSE had considered the report from Healthwatch Barnet and had requested to be provided with a list of the Practices surveyed so that they could investigate it further.  Ms. Patel commented that if the survey was undertaken in other Boroughs, she would expect to get similar results.  The Committee were informed that access to Dentistry in Barnet was better than other London Boroughs. 

Ms. Robertson informed the Committee that child access to appointments in Barnet was good and that all age groups have better access than the London average and that year on year access figures have been improving.  She noted that access for adults was a more complex picture because adult residents don’t necessarily access dentistry in the Borough that they live in and that they might, for example, attend a Dentist near to their work place resulting in patient flows in and out of the Borough. 

Ms. Robertson advised the Committee that NHSE would continue to monitor access to Dentists by Ward across Barnet, particularly in areas of development such as Colindale and West Hendon. 

The Committee noted that 25% of Barnet five year olds had dental decay in 2012, compared to the London average of 30%. 

Ms. Patel informed the Committee that in October and November 2015, NHSE set up stalls in local shopping centres and provided tooth brushing packs, and those who visited the stalls were given vouchers.

A Member referred to the dental uptake rates for adults and children by postcode as set out in the report and noted that Hampstead Garden Suburb which was one of the more affluent areas of the Borough had a comparatively low uptake.  NHSE noted that if they could be provided with the names of the Practices surveyed, then they would be able to understand the reason behind this.

Mr. Rich commented that it would be possible to provide NHSE with a list of the Practices contacted and noted that he expected that as the Commissioners, NHSE would have an understanding of where the Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) had been used up.  Mr. Rich also commented that the role of Healthwatch was to represent the consumer’s voice. 

The Chairman questioned if it would be helpful for NHSE to provide the number of UDAs that each Practice has.  Ms. Patel informed the Committee that that information was already available.

The Chairman suggested that next time Healthwatch undertakes mystery shopping, the volunteers ask if the Practice has ran out of UDAs.

A Member commented that it would be in the public interest for Healthwatch to pass on the names of the Practices that it had surveyed to NHSE. 

A Member commented that 96% of Practices who responded to the initial survey were taking on new patients.  Ms. Patel informed the Committee that Practices are given an annualised activity of UDAs and that, whilst it is up to them how they use them, NHSE ask that they are spread evenly throughout the year. 

The Chairman suggested that NHSE and Healthwatch Barnet should liaise with each other and come back to the Committee after Healthwatch have refreshed their latest report.  The Chairman requested that the Governance Officer work with NHSE and arrange for a further report.

RESOLVED that:-

1.    The Committee notes the report.

2.    The Committee requests to be provided with a further report on the matter at a future meeting.