Menu
16/01/2012
NHS Dental Budget To Be Cut
It has been revealed that up to a three month wait could be ahead for those people unable to afford private dental care as proposals suggest cutting millions from the NHS dental budget.
It is understood that proposals have been launched that will see £6m stripped from the NHS dental budget this year.
Cost-cutting measures include reducing the number of treatments automatically available in order to save £2m. Procedures such as root canals will require approval from the Business Service Organisation before they be carried out and dentists have been told that this could take two to three months to complete.
Patients who require root canal treatment, for example, could be left to decide whether to wait three months for treatment, have the tooth taken out on the NHS, or pay for the root canal treatment themselves at a cost of several hundred pounds.
Meanwhile incentive payments that encourage dentists to treat NHS patients will also be stopped if the proposals are adopted.
Surgeries will be expected to have a larger proportion of patients who pay fees for NHS treatment in order to receive the payment, meaning those in deprived areas where most people are on benefits and entitled to free treatment will be hardest hit.
(LB)
It is understood that proposals have been launched that will see £6m stripped from the NHS dental budget this year.
Cost-cutting measures include reducing the number of treatments automatically available in order to save £2m. Procedures such as root canals will require approval from the Business Service Organisation before they be carried out and dentists have been told that this could take two to three months to complete.
Patients who require root canal treatment, for example, could be left to decide whether to wait three months for treatment, have the tooth taken out on the NHS, or pay for the root canal treatment themselves at a cost of several hundred pounds.
Meanwhile incentive payments that encourage dentists to treat NHS patients will also be stopped if the proposals are adopted.
Surgeries will be expected to have a larger proportion of patients who pay fees for NHS treatment in order to receive the payment, meaning those in deprived areas where most people are on benefits and entitled to free treatment will be hardest hit.
(LB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 October 2022
New Scheme To Improve Urgent Dental Care For Non-Registered Patients
A new initiative to improve access to urgent dental care for non-registered patients, including refugees and asylum seekers, has been welcomed by Health Minister Robin Swann.
New Scheme To Improve Urgent Dental Care For Non-Registered Patients
A new initiative to improve access to urgent dental care for non-registered patients, including refugees and asylum seekers, has been welcomed by Health Minister Robin Swann.
26 September 2019
Rise In Uptake Of Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services
The number of people receiving treatment for drug and alcohol abuse in Northern Ireland has grown, a recent census has shown. Some 6,743 people were in active treatment in April 2019, for either drug or alcohol abuse or both. This represents a rise in clients from 5,969 in the 2017 census.
Rise In Uptake Of Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services
The number of people receiving treatment for drug and alcohol abuse in Northern Ireland has grown, a recent census has shown. Some 6,743 people were in active treatment in April 2019, for either drug or alcohol abuse or both. This represents a rise in clients from 5,969 in the 2017 census.
27 August 2004
Commissioning work begins at water treatment facility
The Water Service has begun commissioning works on its £20m water treatment plant in Co Down. The largest water treatment facility to be built to date in Northern Ireland, the three-month commissioning period will involve rigorous testing of all the state-of-the-art systems at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan.
Commissioning work begins at water treatment facility
The Water Service has begun commissioning works on its £20m water treatment plant in Co Down. The largest water treatment facility to be built to date in Northern Ireland, the three-month commissioning period will involve rigorous testing of all the state-of-the-art systems at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan.
28 June 2002
Water and sewerage infrastructure receives £100m
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has outlined plans to invest almost £100 million on upgrading the province's water and sewerage infrastructure. The Minister was speaking on Friday, June 28, at the opening of the new Derg Water Treatment Works near Castlederg, which was constructed at a cost of £10.3 million.
Water and sewerage infrastructure receives £100m
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has outlined plans to invest almost £100 million on upgrading the province's water and sewerage infrastructure. The Minister was speaking on Friday, June 28, at the opening of the new Derg Water Treatment Works near Castlederg, which was constructed at a cost of £10.3 million.
10 December 2004
Straight teeth boost children’s self esteem
A new survey from specialist dentists at Queen's University has shown that correcting prominent teeth can boost children's self esteem.
Straight teeth boost children’s self esteem
A new survey from specialist dentists at Queen's University has shown that correcting prominent teeth can boost children's self esteem.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
