Comments on: NHS Dentistry Returns To Sedgefield http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/ A Lymphomaniac Blogs Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:05:45 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Andysnat http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-78 Andysnat Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:50:58 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-78 Actually Alun, you can get NHS treatment at any optician, so your analogy really isn't good enough. You will find it impossible to get NHS treatment at a <strike>Church of Mammon</strike> dentist who has abandoned his or her NHS patients. As far as I can see, dentists claim to not be able to treat NHS patients as they can't afford their premises, staff, training, equipment, <strike>fancy cars, foreign holidays, marketing campaigns</strike> and fancy reception areas on NHS payments. I can't understand that. Are the NHS fees insufficient? Are the experts who decide that sort of thing dishonest? What should the two million people who can't afford your fees do Alun? I have decided to write another post about dentistry in the near future. Keep your eyes open. Actually Alun, you can get NHS treatment at any optician, so your analogy really isn’t good enough. You will find it impossible to get NHS treatment at a Church of Mammon dentist who has abandoned his or her NHS patients.

As far as I can see, dentists claim to not be able to treat NHS patients as they can’t afford their premises, staff, training, equipment, fancy cars, foreign holidays, marketing campaigns and fancy reception areas on NHS payments. I can’t understand that. Are the NHS fees insufficient? Are the experts who decide that sort of thing dishonest?

What should the two million people who can’t afford your fees do Alun?

I have decided to write another post about dentistry in the near future. Keep your eyes open.

]]> By: Alun Rees http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-77 Alun Rees Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:05:36 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-77 Obviously the Optometrist has some NHS funding whilst your dentist has not been granted any NHS funding. Why not ask your ex-MP why he was able to make a promise that everyone would be able to see an NHS dentist years ago? How do I feel about that? It's very sad that this government have started the selling off of NHS services to large corporate bodies with dentistry but have no fear the remainder will follow soon enough. I think that you really need to see the writing on the wall and instead of adopting an 'oo isn't it awful' approach accept that the repeated hacking away at NHS provision has been going on since 1950 when a Labour administration introduced plans for Dental & Prescription charges in their budget. They were voted out before their introduction but the Tories didn't change any of the Labour plans. Incidentally the charges were introduced in order to free up funds for another stupid war. The budget plans led to the resignation of Nye Bevan, Harold Wilson & John Freeman from the Cabinet. Most dentists deeply regret the changes they have had to make, dentistry is an easy target, dentists perceived as rich etc, funny how nobody resents the incomes of doctors, vets, football players, pop stars etc. People complained about fees when the maximum charge went up from £8 to £9 in 1981. Price has always been used as an excuse for non-attendance, particularly in people who can't be bothered to look after themselves. Obviously the Optometrist has some NHS funding whilst your dentist has not been granted any NHS funding. Why not ask your ex-MP why he was able to make a promise that everyone would be able to see an NHS dentist years ago?

How do I feel about that? It’s very sad that this government have started the selling off of NHS services to large corporate bodies with dentistry but have no fear the remainder will follow soon enough.

I think that you really need to see the writing on the wall and instead of adopting an ‘oo isn’t it awful’ approach accept that the repeated hacking away at NHS provision has been going on since 1950 when a Labour administration introduced plans for Dental & Prescription charges in their budget. They were voted out before their introduction but the Tories didn’t change any of the Labour plans. Incidentally the charges were introduced in order to free up funds for another stupid war. The budget plans led to the resignation of Nye Bevan, Harold Wilson & John Freeman from the Cabinet.

Most dentists deeply regret the changes they have had to make, dentistry is an easy target, dentists perceived as rich etc, funny how nobody resents the incomes of doctors, vets, football players, pop stars etc.

People complained about fees when the maximum charge went up from £8 to £9 in 1981. Price has always been used as an excuse for non-attendance, particularly in people who can’t be bothered to look after themselves.

]]> By: Jut http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-62 Jut Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:40:02 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-62 I'm pissed at the state of NHS dental care. In the south of hampshire you will NOT be able to register as an NHS patient. I have not been able to get a check up for 4 years now:( I’m pissed at the state of NHS dental care. In the south of hampshire you will NOT be able to register as an NHS patient.
I have not been able to get a check up for 4 years now:(

]]> By: Andysnat http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-54 Andysnat Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:20:29 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-54 NHS patients can go to the Optometrist in Sedgefield for eye care, and prescription lenses, spectacles etc. NHS patients cannot get dental treatment in Sedgefield. How do you feel about that? NHS patients can go to the Optometrist in Sedgefield for eye care, and prescription lenses, spectacles etc.

NHS patients cannot get dental treatment in Sedgefield.

How do you feel about that?

]]> By: Alun Rees http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-53 Alun Rees Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:21:45 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-53 Responsibility for provision of NHS care has been devolved to local suppliers, PCTs in England, LHBs in Wales. The PCTs decide who gets contracts and how much they will pay. it is possible for a dentist to have to run his practice at a loss so bankruptcy is a possibility. The PCTs have not invested in the practices, in Sedgefield for instance all the risk, all the borrowings, the rent, wages, running costs are the solely the responsibility of the dentist who owns the practice. At the introduction of the NHS medical practices were in effect nationalised and doctors were paid by HMG for the purchase of their practices. Dentists remained independent. With the most recent changes any dentist who embraces the contract has had any 'goodwill' value removed from the practice. Try to think of dentistry as ophthalmics rather than medicine and it is easier to comprehend. Do not expect clarity from government, it is not in their interest to be truthful. The spin that is produced by DoH is always going to be stronger than the truth. I think the dentist in Sedgefield should be applauded by deciding that he wants to practice dentistry to the best of his ability without interference from pettifogging local pen pushers. Responsibility for provision of NHS care has been devolved to local suppliers, PCTs in England, LHBs in Wales. The PCTs decide who gets contracts and how much they will pay. it is possible for a dentist to have to run his practice at a loss so bankruptcy is a possibility. The PCTs have not invested in the practices, in Sedgefield for instance all the risk, all the borrowings, the rent, wages, running costs are the solely the responsibility of the dentist who owns the practice. At the introduction of the NHS medical practices were in effect nationalised and doctors were paid by HMG for the purchase of their practices. Dentists remained independent. With the most recent changes any dentist who embraces the contract has had any ‘goodwill’ value removed from the practice. Try to think of dentistry as ophthalmics rather than medicine and it is easier to comprehend.
Do not expect clarity from government, it is not in their interest to be truthful. The spin that is produced by DoH is always going to be stronger than the truth.
I think the dentist in Sedgefield should be applauded by deciding that he wants to practice dentistry to the best of his ability without interference from pettifogging local pen pushers.

]]> By: Andysnat http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-52 Andysnat Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:57:26 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-52 Firstly, my former dentist sent me a letter explaining all that, except that he explained that it was the PCT that he was unhappy with. Secondly, what should the 2 million or so people without access to dental care do? What about the people who cannot afford private health care? Firstly, my former dentist sent me a letter explaining all that, except that he explained that it was the PCT that he was unhappy with.

Secondly, what should the 2 million or so people without access to dental care do?

What about the people who cannot afford private health care?

]]> By: Alun Rees http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-51 Alun Rees Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:43:15 +0000 http://chemobrain.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/nhs-dentistry-returns-to-sedgefield/#comment-51 The reason that your local dentist has 'taken his practise (sic) into ....Mammon' is in order to be able to practice his profession to the best of his ability. The new NHS contract was imposed by the government in April 2006, without consultation or negotiation. It has introduced targets, imposed a cash limited system and made dentists view patients as "Dental Unit generators". There has been obfuscation and deliberate misleading of the public by the Dept of Health (Disease). The PCT will spend large amounts of tax payers money to provide a core service. If you want a cheap job. Caveat Emptor. The reason that your local dentist has ‘taken his practise (sic) into ….Mammon’ is in order to be able to practice his profession to the best of his ability. The new NHS contract was imposed by the government in April 2006, without consultation or negotiation. It has introduced targets, imposed a cash limited system and made dentists view patients as “Dental Unit generators”.
There has been obfuscation and deliberate misleading of the public by the Dept of Health (Disease).

The PCT will spend large amounts of tax payers money to provide a core service.

If you want a cheap job. Caveat Emptor.

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