PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Dental Services: Finance (12 July 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the recently concluded pilot on improving access to primary care dentistry in the Bradford City, Bradford Districts and North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group areas, what plans he has to publish his assessment of that pilot; and whether he has plans to provide ongoing funding to improve access to primary care dentistry.

Asked by:
Judith Cummins (Labour)

The primary care dental access pilot, which began on 9 January 2017, was established to build additional capacity in dental practices and provide more appointments for the patients of Kirklees, Dewsbury and Bradford.

The scheme, which was originally due to end on 31 March 2017, proved to be successful, so was extended until 30 June 2017. The results of this are currently being analysed and NHS England will make the findings available shortly.

NHS England has also confirmed that a costed commissioning plan, based on these findings and the needs of the population, will be considered by the NHS England Yorkshire and Humber Director team over the summer of 2017 and an approach agreed to improve capacity in identified areas.

Answered by:
Steve Brine (Conservative)
17 July 2017