Chamber
Plenary, 30 Nov 2000
30 Nov 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Dental Services (Grampian)
I congratulate Mike Rumbles on securing today's debate and thank him for giving us an opportunity to discuss dentistry. I would also like to take the opportunity to say that he is looking very dashing tonight in his full Highland regalia.
The action plan that Mike Rumbles highlighted is excellent, but I refer him to another document: "Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review". I am the first to criticise glossy documents, but "Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review" sets out how to put the plan into action. It is an even better document than "An Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland" because it takes the plan one step further. I have found it to be an excellent document.
Access to dentistry in Grampian depends on the training not just of new dentists, but of dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental therapists. There is no doubt that the two documents will increase the demand for dentistry in Scotland. We have a problem at the moment and if we are to fulfil all the recommendations in "Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review"—which I fully support—we must increase the supply of training, to increase access to dentistry.
We need more training to ensure that dentists can fulfil the recommendations for their continued professional development. As a fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development, Mike Rumbles will know all about that. We need such training not just for dentists, but for dental nurses, hygienists and therapists. We have never trained dental therapists in Scotland. The debate should not concentrate on dentists, because I understand that dental therapists will now be able to carry out extractions and fillings as well as other monitoring of patients. That may be one way of helping to fill the gap in dental services.
Given that training is so crucial in creating access to new dentists, I would like to highlight the fact that Dundee dental school—one of only two dental schools in Scotland—is currently facing a deficit of more than £250,000, in a health trust that is suffering a deficit of more than £19 million. That is one of the two dental schools that will have to provide funding, training and access for all the courses that I mentioned, as well as the consultant specialties that are needed to achieve the level of training recommended in the two documents.
Nora Radcliffe mentioned postgraduate training, which is a crucial aspect of the debate. I would like to take the opportunity to ask the minister to clarify an issue. Last week, the Dundee dental school was told that it was to be given funding for a postgraduate centre in the Frankland building, adjacent to the dental hospital. However, the next day, the school received a phone call from the management executive to say that it would not get that funding. I seek clarification on that issue.
The action plan that Mike Rumbles highlighted is excellent, but I refer him to another document: "Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review". I am the first to criticise glossy documents, but "Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review" sets out how to put the plan into action. It is an even better document than "An Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland" because it takes the plan one step further. I have found it to be an excellent document.
Access to dentistry in Grampian depends on the training not just of new dentists, but of dental nurses, dental hygienists and dental therapists. There is no doubt that the two documents will increase the demand for dentistry in Scotland. We have a problem at the moment and if we are to fulfil all the recommendations in "Workforce Planning for Dentistry in Scotland: A Strategic Review"—which I fully support—we must increase the supply of training, to increase access to dentistry.
We need more training to ensure that dentists can fulfil the recommendations for their continued professional development. As a fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development, Mike Rumbles will know all about that. We need such training not just for dentists, but for dental nurses, hygienists and therapists. We have never trained dental therapists in Scotland. The debate should not concentrate on dentists, because I understand that dental therapists will now be able to carry out extractions and fillings as well as other monitoring of patients. That may be one way of helping to fill the gap in dental services.
Given that training is so crucial in creating access to new dentists, I would like to highlight the fact that Dundee dental school—one of only two dental schools in Scotland—is currently facing a deficit of more than £250,000, in a health trust that is suffering a deficit of more than £19 million. That is one of the two dental schools that will have to provide funding, training and access for all the courses that I mentioned, as well as the consultant specialties that are needed to achieve the level of training recommended in the two documents.
Nora Radcliffe mentioned postgraduate training, which is a crucial aspect of the debate. I would like to take the opportunity to ask the minister to clarify an issue. Last week, the Dundee dental school was told that it was to be given funding for a postgraduate centre in the Frankland building, adjacent to the dental hospital. However, the next day, the school received a phone call from the management executive to say that it would not get that funding. I seek clarification on that issue.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
We now come to the members' business debate on motion S1M-1347, in the name of Mike Rumbles, on access to national health service dental services in Grampian...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises that improving access to NHS dental services is a public health priority, welcomes the publication by the Scottish Executive o...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
I am pleased to open this evening's debate, which is designed to highlight the problems of accessing NHS dental treatment, particularly in the Grampian area....
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
Six members have asked to speak, so speeches should be around three minutes, please.
Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to debate this matter and the constructive approach of Mike Rumbles's motion. He is primarily concerned with access to dentistry in...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Mike Rumbles on securing this evening's debate and on sporting a Highland outfit. I think it is fair to say that the subject of the debate was...
Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I would like to thank Mike Rumbles for giving us the chance to highlight the continuing problems in Grampian. His outline of the situation and his proposals ...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I would like to thank Mike Rumbles for this members' debate, which allows us to put on record our concerns about the provision of dental services in the nort...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Mike Rumbles on securing today's debate and thank him for giving us an opportunity to discuss dentistry. I would also like to take the opportu...
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Malcolm Chisholm):
Lab
I congratulate Mike Rumbles on securing this debate, and I am grateful to all members who have contributed to it.During the debate on primary care dental ser...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I welcome the minister's comments on the need for more consultants which has been recognised in Grampian. Does the minister also accept that for every new co...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
The discussion paper to which I referred earlier proposed significant increases in the number of professionals who are complementary to dentistry to enhance ...
Ben Wallace:
Con
Will the minister take on board the fact that members of Grampian Health Board have almost stopped advertising? Having spent so much money on trying to recru...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
I hear what Ben Wallace is saying. I am told that an advertising campaign is going on and that, in January 2001, adverts will be placed, but I will check on ...
Meeting closed at 17:43.