British Dental Association Advises Members Not To Sign Current Draft Access Contracts

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 10 Sep 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The British Dental Association (BDA) has today issued a warning to members that they should not sign a draft access contract that has been offered by a number of PCTs tendering for new services. The draft contract has been developed by the dental access team at the Department of Health led by Dr Mike Warburton.

Since first being shown a draft at a very late stage of development, the BDA has told the Department of Health that it believes the contract is not suitable and has lobbied hard for significant changes to it. The BDA will continue to pursue the fundamental amendments that it believes are required to make the draft contract fit for purpose.

Dr John Milne, Chair of the BDA's General Dental Practice Committee, said:

"As we have told the Department of Health, we do not consider the current draft access contract suitable. We have explained our significant concerns and are calling for far-reaching amendments.

"Our unequivocal message is that this contract must change and we are advising members not to sign it in its current form. What's important now is that the Department listens to these concerns and amends its draft contract accordingly."

BDA members who believe they are being offered one of the draft access contracts should contact the BDA's Business Team on 0207 535 5864 for advice. Initial advice is available on the BDA website.

The BDA has also reminded the Department of Health of the importance of developing new models of working from those sketched by Professor Jimmy Steele in his report of June 2009.

Source
British Dental Association