Chamber
Plenary, 20 Nov 2003
20 Nov 2003 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Dental Services
I, too, thank the minister for advance copies of the consultation document and his statement.
I welcome many parts of his statement—particularly the consultation of patients and progress on the outreach facility in Aberdeen, which is welcomed in the north-east. I also welcome the comments in the consultation document on considering insurance-based dental plans, because of the huge funding implication, at which Shona Robison hinted. However, I hope that the proposed allowances are not only for relocation to new areas, unless they are intended to meet disabled access needs. I regret that the minister did not comment on upgrading the old-fashioned list of materials that are available for NHS treatment.
Why should free check-ups be given to those who are well able to afford them? I echo Shona Robison's question about where the Executive will find the bodies for the short-term measures. Extra people are required, not only to be salaried dentists, but to be hospital specialists. The minister commented little on that.
Why will the minister not implement support packages, such as interest-free loans, for European Community dentists while they complete their short pre-registration training? That would be one of the easiest ways to meet some of the short-term difficulties.
I welcome many parts of his statement—particularly the consultation of patients and progress on the outreach facility in Aberdeen, which is welcomed in the north-east. I also welcome the comments in the consultation document on considering insurance-based dental plans, because of the huge funding implication, at which Shona Robison hinted. However, I hope that the proposed allowances are not only for relocation to new areas, unless they are intended to meet disabled access needs. I regret that the minister did not comment on upgrading the old-fashioned list of materials that are available for NHS treatment.
Why should free check-ups be given to those who are well able to afford them? I echo Shona Robison's question about where the Executive will find the bodies for the short-term measures. Extra people are required, not only to be salaried dentists, but to be hospital specialists. The minister commented little on that.
Why will the minister not implement support packages, such as interest-free loans, for European Community dentists while they complete their short pre-registration training? That would be one of the easiest ways to meet some of the short-term difficulties.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Tom McCabe on modernising dental services in Scotland. The minister will take questions at the end of his stateme...
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Mr Tom McCabe):
Lab
The purpose of my statement today is to advise of the Executive's intention to undertake a consultation on the future arrangements for primary care dental se...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
The minister will take questions on his statement. I will allow until 1 o'clock for questions.
Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP):
SNP
I thank the minister for an advance copy of his statement.I welcome much of his statement, but I will ask about the short-term measures that have been announ...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
We have made it clear that the supply of dentists is important. Of course, there are about 120 dental graduates each year in Scotland. We are committed to in...
Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I, too, thank the minister for advance copies of the consultation document and his statement. I welcome many parts of his statement—particularly the consulta...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
I have said many times, and our partnership agreement contains a firm commitment on the fact, that we recognise that dental health in Scotland is poor. We ar...
Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Introducing further financial incentives to recruit new dentists is really good news. The Liberal Democrats are pleased that the Executive has accepted that ...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
Mr Rumbles has quite rightly identified the fact that we previously announced that £100,000 had been made available to establish the planning process that is...
Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab):
Lab
I whole-heartedly welcome the quick response to representations that have been made to the minister on this important subject. He is aware that NHS dental se...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
That is exactly what our intention is. We recognise that the dental service clearly needs to be modernised. We are in the process of modernising a whole rang...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
As from now, I expect shorter questions and answers. I call Eleanor Scott.
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
I welcome the consultation document, because dental health has been a big issue up in the Highlands, where I come from. I seek an assurance that the consulta...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
I can give an absolute assurance that the consultation meetings will take place in every part of Scotland. Given the problems that have been experienced in r...
Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I also welcome the minister's statement and thank him for responding to views expressed by MSPs from around the country. How many dentists will have to be re...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
With regard to the number of dentists, our work force planning arrangements continue to keep such matters under review. That is why we are considering an out...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I acknowledge the excellent work that Paul Martin and the dental think-tank are doing in the Highlands and I hope that the minister will work with them, as m...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
A moment ago, I said that the fact that nothing will be ruled out will be the thread that runs through the consultation. Clearly, we will listen to whatever ...
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
Like the other members who have spoken, I welcome the minister's announcement of a substantial package of remote allowances and other incentives to encourage...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
Both the new and the existing initiatives that I have spoken about today encompass a realisation that when allowances are paid, some degree of commitment is ...
Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab):
Lab
I note from the minister's statement that the most significant problems arise in areas of deprivation. How will the measures that he has announced ensure tha...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
To reply in general terms, the modernisation of the dental service and the fact that we will allow the service to concentrate on specific issues—as it has be...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I refer the minister to the statement that he issued—rather than the one that he delivered—in which he names the designated areas, one of which is the Scotti...
Mr McNeil:
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I might be mistaken, but did Christine Grahame refer to a copy of the minister's statement? I would like to make the ...
Christine Grahame:
SNP
I seek your guidance, Presiding Officer. I was simply seeking to assist the minister, who referred to designated areas but did not define them, as he did in ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
There is a point here. I will consult the clerks and I suggest that we continue with questions in the meantime.
Mr McCabe:
Lab
There is a complete list of designated areas and, as Christine Grahame will know, it includes mainly rural areas, where access problems have been most severe...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
Is the minister aware that no NHS or private dentists in my constituency have open lists? Will he assure us that the welcome measures will be monitored close...
Mr McCabe:
Lab
NHS boards can contact the Executive and request our thoughts on a range of issues, one of which is travelling expenses. If a case is made for the provision ...
Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Does the minister anticipate that dental services might increasingly be provided alongside primary medical services—in community hospitals, for example—to in...