NHS Dentistry: Recovery and Reform Debate

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Department: Department of Health and Social Care

NHS Dentistry: Recovery and Reform

James Sunderland Excerpts
Wednesday 7th February 2024

(2 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Victoria Atkins Portrait Victoria Atkins
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Again, we have heard a very loud performance from the hon. Gentleman—a typically loud performance. If only it had been as factual as it was loud. I have already set out, in response to the hon. Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting), the difference between Labour’s plan and our fully funded plan to secure immediate and long-term changes. After 14 years of opposition, is this it?

James Sunderland Portrait James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
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As the Health Secretary will recall, we met recently to discuss dentistry in Bracknell, so I really welcome the plan that she has announced today. Will she please confirm, for the sake of absolute clarity, that a cornerstone of the recovery plan will be quicker and easier access to NHS dentists, and also that they will be properly incentivised to absorb all the patients who need support?

Victoria Atkins Portrait Victoria Atkins
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Indeed, and it was a pleasure to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the issues facing his constituents. I hope he recognises that we will have those aims very much in mind in the delivery of the recovery plan. We will begin to see the roll-out of those 2.5 million more appointments in the coming weeks as the new patient premium takes hold.