BDTA Dental Showcase – Meet the CR Dental Team
Visit us at the BDTA Dental Showcase at the NEC Birmingham
on 17 - 19 October 2013
stand number E22
Not only do you get to meet the team but also have a chance to win an IPod Shuffle in our raffle!
NHS Policy Guidelines
New guidance notes have been issued by NHS England on policy of terminating primary dental care. The document forms part of a suite of policies and procedures to support the commissioning of primary care for the use of NHS England's Area Teams. The policies are to underpin NHS England's commitment to operate a single model to ensure consistency and eliminate duplication following the management change from 1 April 2013. The termination grounds are as follows:
- Termination by agreement both contractor and the area team ("AT").
- Termination on death of an individual dental practitioner, this is covered in detail within the NHS Contract.
- Termination by the contractor by Notice
- Termination by contractor for late payment notice
- Termination by AT generally
- where a dental corporate ceases to exist.
- where the AT is aware that untrue or inaccurate information has been provided.
- where breach of contract has occurred and has not been remedied.
- Additional provisions for partners and dental corporate
- where the majority of the directors in a dental corporate cease to be either dental practitioners or dental care professionals or are convicted of a crime or have financial penalties imposed.
- Where there are two or more persons practicing in partnership the AT is entitled to terminate if one or more partners have left the partner and AT considers it likely to have a serious adverse affect or impact on the ability to perform its obligations.
The contractor has the right to refer to the NHS Dispute Resolution on any of the above termination notice but must adhere to strict timescales. The Charles Russell Healthcare Team have extensive experience in resolving termination procedure notice. For further information on how we are able to assist please contact Jenin Khanam on 020 7203 5103 or email jenin.khanam@charlesrussell.co.uk
Mid-Year Review Policy
NHS England has confirmed within their mid-year and year end reconciliation review policy that during the transitional period of 2013/14 only, no breach notices will be issued for failure to perform contracts in full. This is to allow contractors to become more familiar with the new NHS arrangements.
Incorporation Policy
Dental practices have the option of becoming a dental body corporate ("DCP") or a limited liability partnership if they hold a GDS contract.
At least half the directors have to be dentists or dental care professionals registered with the GDC.
Any changes in the entity will be considered without a public tender (provided certain conditions are met). However, AT's may review the current contract level and performance and consider if the current contract provider is best value for money. ATs may introduce conditions including the scope of the contract, the number of UDAs or the value of the UDA. The AT will also request a copy of the CQC registration in the new entity is also provided before they will agree to transfer the contract.
GDC new policies
The GDC has issued new standards that will go live on 30 September. Any fitness to practice matters before 30 September 2013 will continue under the current standards. A copy of the standards can be found at the link below
http://www.gdc-uk.org/dentalprofessionals/standards/pages/standards.aspx
Feedback on New Dental Contract
The DoH have issued a feedback form for dentists to have their say on the new dental contract, although the form is not a consultation or an evaluation form. For those who want to provide feedback the form can be found on the following website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-dental-contract-reform-feedback-wanted
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
