The British Dental Association has urged MPs to drop government plans to abolish Healthwatch England, warning that at a make-or-break moment for dentistry Ministers must not be given license to mark their own homework.
With the Health Bill now at Committee Stage, dentist leaders are pressing on MPs to drop clauses to abolish the patient watchdog. It is also pressing to ensure dentistry’s voice is heard at Integrated Care Board level, and that the approach to the Single Patient Record recognises the dearth of digital investment and infrastructure in dentistry.
While Healthwatch reports have often proved challenging for the profession, the BDA stresses it always values robust scrutiny, and has welcomed the unique and irreplaceable voice the body has brought to bear on the crisis in dentistry for a generation.
The BDA has recently warned of a material risk that Government fails to keep its promises to deliver fundamental reform of the NHS contract in this Parliament. It says that now more than ever ministers and officials require forensic scrutiny at both national and local levels.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said:
“Ministers must not be given the ability to mark their own homework on dentistry
“Healthwatch England has spoken truth to power here for a generation. Its reports have not always made for easy reading for dentists, but it’s always been an effective and focused voice for patients
“Its abolition would be a giant leap backwards for healthcare in England.”
