Minutes of the
Somerset Local Dental Committee (LDC) Meeting
on
Tuesday 18 March 2014
and held in
The Canalside, Bridgwater, Somerset,
TA6 6LQ, meeting commenced at 19.30
Present: Geoff Worrall (GW)
Andre Louw (AL)
Somerset Local Dental Committee Chairman Somerset Local Dental Committee Secretary Lucy Silk (LS) Somerset Local Dental Committee Member Peter Hollins (PH) Somerset Local Dental Committee Member Gary Irvine (GI)
Bob Gordon (BG)
Somerset Local Dental Committee Member Somerset Local Dental Committee Member John Smalley (JS)
Vinay Shah (VS)
Somerset Local Dental Committee Member
Somerset Local Dental Committee Member (co-opted)
In Attendance: Emma Childs (EC) Secretarial Support
1 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
1.1 GW welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2 APOLOGIES
2.1 Apologies were received from Matthew Clover (MC) (Member of the General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC)), Martin Fulford (MF) (Professional Dental Lead, NHS England Area Team BNSSSG), Mike Biccard (MB) (Somerset Local Dental Committee Treasurer), Simon Albiston (SA), Jane Foggin (JF) and Richard Leworthy (RL)
(Somerset Local Dental Committee Members).
3 THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING 19 NOVEMBER 2013
3.1 The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.
4 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 There was no ‘Matters Arising discussed during the meeting.
5 DENTAL LOCAL PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS UPDATE (LUCY SILK)
5.1
5.2
LS provided an update to the LDC regarding the previous NHS England Area Team BNSSSG, Dental Local Professional Network (LPN) meeting’s, of which two out of the three meetings have been attended by a Somerset LDC representative.
Membership and ‘Considered’ Work Streams’
LS advised that the BNSSSG Dental LPN membership consists of the following: • ‘Alasdair Miller’ (Interim Chairman), ‘Paul Harwood’ (Public Health), ‘Peter Hillman’
(Patient Representative), ‘Andy Sprod’ (Salaried Services), ‘Jane Luker’ (Post-Graduate Dean), ‘Ian Mullen’ / ‘Rachel Coke’ (BNSSSG), Somerset/Avon LDC Representative(s) and Secondary Care Hospital Representatives
5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 6 6.1 6.2
The work streams which are currently under consideration by the LPN to progress further include:
• Minor Oral Surgery Commissioning • Orthodontics
• The Oral Health Strategy
• The Development of Quality Measures (a work stream which had been previously undertaken by the Somerset Dental LPN Pilot)
The LDC raised concerns that the BNSSSG Dental LPN is just merely a discussion group rather than being proactive. In addition, the general consensus amongst the group was the current LPN has a limited primary care dentistry representation compared to the Somerset Dental LPN pilot.
BNSSSG Dental LPN Meeting, 2 April 2014
LS provided an overview to the group regarding the ‘Dental and Oral Health – Call to Action’ and the ‘BNSSSG Dental LPN-Principles of Care’ (produced by Alasdair Miller, Interim Chair, BNSSSG Dental LPN) in relation to the LPN. Prior to the next LPN Meeting on 2 April 2014, LS requested for all LDC members to review the two
documents, and email their feedback/thoughts concerning the two documents by close of play 1 April 2014. LS will then report the Somerset LDC views to the LPN on 2 April 2014.
Sufficient LPN Meeting Notice and LDC Representation
The group agreed that the Area Team has to provide sufficient notice for Dentists to be able to attend the LPN meetings (a week’s notice is not acceptable, and nor is
rearranging the meeting a day before). It was agreed that the LDC should
contact/liaise with the LPN to view their concerns regarding sufficient meeting notice. The LDC agreed it would be appropriate to have other LDC members attending in LS’s place for variety purposes.
BNSSSG Dental LPN, Oral Health Working Group
AL informed the group that Alasdair Miller, Interim Chair, BNSSSG Dental LPN, had requested a member from the Somerset LDC or a non-elected member to form part of the LPN ‘Oral Health Working Group’ re. Minor Oral Surgery commissioning. The LDC discussed potentially suitable candidates and will investigate further.
LDC Officials Day – Local Professional Networks (LPNs)
GW provided a LDC Official’s Day overview in relation to the LPN:
• Concerns regarding Primary Care Dentists not being made involved enough within the Dental LPN’s
• Too much focus on a Hospital based membership
• Additional Dentists attendance could potentially be funded through the levies – there should be funding from the LPN’s
• Concern that the Area Team’s are becoming increasingly centralised, there is less local level involvement, and limited administration support/communication
LDC CLINICAL GOVERNANCE EVENT, 22 JANUARY 2014 (GEOFF WORRALL)
The Somerset LDC held their Clinical Governance Event for the Dentists in Somerset on 22 January 2014 at Lyngford House, Taunton.
The LDC commented on the success of the event and was pleased that there was a variety of Dental Practices, who attended the event. The feedback from the Dentists, and within the Evaluation Forms who attended event was incredibly positive, and the LDC agreed to fund another Clinical Governance Event in the autumn. GW
6.4
6.5
event. The LDC will utilise some of the topic suggestions made by Dentists within the Evaluation Forms.
There was a debate regarding Dentist’s who did not attend the event without prior notification. The LDC agreed that a process should be implemented in future to those who do not attend due to the financial expenditure the LDC incurs. It was suggested that for the next event if there are 80 Dentists expecting to attend, a light finger buffet to be booked for 55 Dentists to reduce cost, and account for those who do not attend. In addition, the LDC suggested post event sending a warning letter to those who do not attend without prior notification (i.e. may not be allowed to attend future events due to the financial implications incurred by the LDC). To be discussed further.
It was agreed that the future LDC Clinical Governance Event is to be an agenda item at the next meeting in June. During the next meeting, the event topics/content, location, date and attendee numbers will be agreed and signed off.
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
LDC CONSTITUTION: PROPOSED CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION
During the last LDC Meeting there was a lengthy discussion to potentially amending the LDC Constitution, to resolve the historical issues in recruiting a LDC representative for the Mendip constituency.
It was agreed, during the last meeting in November, that there was to be a review of the number of Dental Practices within the four constituencies prior to implementing a chosen course of action. Since the November meeting, AL had reviewed the number of Practices within the four constituencies, and the numbers are as follows:
• Mendip – 11 Dental Practices
• Somerset Coast – 16 Dental Practices • South Somerset – 25-27 Dental Practices • Taunton Deane – 15 Dental Practices
Based on the figures that South Somerset is the largest area in regards to NHS dental provision, AL seeked the views of the LDC of the appropriate course of action
including:
• The system remains as it currently stands
• Each constituency has a minimum of two elected eligible voting members (who are either living or practicing Dentistry within that constituency). The remaining four available seats within the LDC is a pool of non-area specific Dentists within Somerset
• Move a seat from South Somerset to Mendip
• All members within the LDC are elected from a non-area specific geography of Somerset
Generally, it was decided that the proposed option of a minimum of two constituency elected members, and the remaining four seats up to an open pool, would be the more sensible solution. In addition, it was decided that the option would also be more viable due to wanting to encourage Dentist’s to become part of the LDC.
AL is to contact the BDA for guidance how the LDC can amend the constitution regarding the election of constituencies’ representatives. Providing there is a quorum the LDC will then vote on the amendment during the next meeting.
8 CONNECTING WITH COLLEAGUES FORUM (LUCY SILK)
8.2
8.3
9
9.1
30 April 2014, and will commence at an earlier time of 18.00, as the result of feedback from previous attendees. There are currently ten Dentists who have expressed an interest in attending the forum (the maximum capacity is twenty Dentists).
The set-up of the next Connecting with Colleagues forum will revert to an informal format, rather than a lecture based evening. Manuel Blanco-Guzman, Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will be attending as a guest Speaker, although the presentation will not be in a lecture format.
LS raised a point of paying Manuel Blanco-Guzman a Speaker rate, as the previous Speaker was paid for lecturing. LS will confirm with MB if this is possible.
DENTAL LEAD (MARTIN FULFORD)
The item was deferred to the next meeting.
10
10.1
10.2
SUCCESS (LUCY SILK)
LS, a Success advocate explained that three Dentists have contacted Success that are struggling financially during the tax period/year end. LS seeked the views of the LDC whether it would be beneficial to have either a Connecting with Colleagues, or Clinical Governance Event regarding financial advice. This will be discussed further during the next meeting.
BG explained that had previously expressed an interest in becoming a Success advocate but had not received a response. LS agreed to chase this up further.
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
LDC Officials Day (Geoff Worrall)
Further to the previous discussions, GW provided a further update to the group regarding the discussions during LDC officials day:
• NHS Contract Reform/Federations • Dental Local Professional Network’s • Levelling up Contract values financially
• Concerns regarding the new Dental Contract implications re. Financially unaffordable, decreased patient access and the collection of patient charge revenue
• LDC’s potentially may merge in the future
• Education Department are working to ensure that UK Graduates are guaranteed first choice on VT training places
• The viability of Contractors moving UDA’s to another site
Somerset Levy Collection
The group discussed recommencing the collection of a levy from its Somerset members. It was agreed for the LDC to contact the Avon LDC for advice regarding how their levy collection system operates.
Dental Nurse Training Presentation Evening (Lucy Silk)
LS suggested presenting Susan Irvine and Clare Handscomb flowers and a card for all their hardwork during the Presentation Evening next Tuesday evening. The LDC agreed and commended all the hardwork undertaken by Susan Irvine and Clare Handscomb over the past years. The LDC members will try to attend the presentation evening next Tuesday evening.
11.5
11.6
11.7
11.8
12
GI and JS explained that they had received an email from the Area Team regarding the ceased of payment for clinical waste collection wef 1 July 2013. The Area Team advised that wef 1 July 2013 Practices should be paying SRCL directly, rather than the Area Team administrating the system. The Area Team had taken the SRCL payments from the Dentists payments online (POL) schedules until July 2013.
It was commented that it is extremely unprofessional to circulate a generic email of this nature to all Dentists, instead of writing to each Dentist personally. In addition, the LDC complained that if this system was implemented in July 2013 why have the Dentists only been informed in March 2014. The LDC will deliberate whether to escalate the matter further.
It was noted that there was a minority of the LDC members who were not aware of the SRCL waste collection system, and it maybe pragmatic to circulate information regarding SRCL to Dentists in Somerset.
PCS Updates (Geoff Worrall)
GW advised that there had been information posted from PCS regarding the Dental Advice Helpline. The Dental Advice Helpline is to be no longer funded by the Area Team due to limited administration resources. The LDC debated how they should refer patients if they require a NHS Dentist. To be discussed further.
Referral Management Centre (RMC) (John Smalley)
JS explained that following a telephone conversation with the RMC regarding patient referrals. A referral is currently taking over two weeks before it is triaged onto the appropriate care pathway.
LDC Meetings – Expressions of Interest
Jennifer Kingston and Jennifer Morecroft previously expressed an interest in attending the LDC Meetings. The LDC agreed to inviting Jennifer Kingston and Jennifer
Morecroft to the next LDC Meeting to be part of the discussions, although they would not be able to vote. JS will contact Jennifer Kingston and Jennifer Morecroft.
NOTE: ‘All Somerset Practitioners are welcome to attend the LDC Meetings as observers’
A. Sprod (John Smalley)
Prior to the meeting JS received an email from Andy Sprod, (Salaried Service) regarding the domiciliary service, training courses for Dental Nurses, and wanting to work more closely with the primary care Dentists. Andy Sprod is keen to attend the next LDC Meeting. Post-meeting, JS will circulate the email to all LDC members. It was the view of the group that it would be beneficial to have salaried service engagement within the LDC. Contact is to be made with Andy Sprod.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Somerset LDC Meeting will be on Tuesday 17 June 2014, at 19.30 and to be held at The Hankridge Arms, Taunton.
NOTE: ‘The minutes from the meeting can also be found on the Somerset LDC website http://www.somersetldc.org’.
