Prior to May 6, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats pledged ‘better access’ was key to their plans, in fact the Conservatives promised to provide access to an NHS dentist for a million more people with an emphasis on preventive care.
With the launch of the Steele pilots, and the introduction of PDS Plus contracts by some PCTs last April, Software of Excellence, along with other providers, worked alongside the health department to ensure their management systems incorporated relevant reporting capabilities and they are rightly watching the latest political moves with interest.
As part of their health manifesto the Conservatives also made a commitment to scrap the Steele Pilots, whilst the Lib Dems argued that change to the contract demanded a piloting scheme although they fell short of coming out in direct support. The health department has been working on the logistics of the pilot scheme since June 2009 and the next wave is due to start in the autumn, but whether the ideas they are piloting will still be relevant under coalition plans is as yet unclear.
Brian Weatherly, managing director at Software of Excellence acknowledges the current approach may be subject to change: ‘We are aware that reporting requirements may change as a result of new government pledges. We are committed to ensuring that via EXACT, practices are able to manage their NHS claims, be these based on quantitative or qualitative measures or indeed a mixture of both and will continue to work hand in hand with the DoH to ensure a smooth transition whatever the demands.’
Software of Excellence has called on the new Secretary of State Andrew Lansley to quickly share with the profession his plans and timetable for delivery.
Brian continued ‘The desire for an NHS that meets the demands of patients by providing increased access, needs with it a reporting system that is not burdensome on the day to day management of the practice and one which does not detract from the dentist’s ability to deliver quality care.’