Revised arrangements will reward dentists for seeing more NHS patients – but dentists remain concerned
Revised payment arrangements for NHS dentists will be linked more closely to the number of patients they see under changes being introduced in April.
The revised arrangements will help ensure patients are able to access NHS services while dentists continue to be supported as they operate under necessary coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. The revised payments replace the emergency top-up arrangements that were introduced to protect the sector from the immediate impact of the pandemic.
Separately, an advisory group will be established to consider long term reform of the sector and future structure of NHS dentistry.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “The pandemic has had a significant impact on the provision of dental care and our focus must now be on recovery and ensuring we equip the sector to work through the significant dental backlog.
“From April, the new system will support dentists to see more patients while avoiding a cliff-edge for practices and ensuring a soft transition during what is still a constrained period for dental teams.
“Importantly, this means dentists could earn more than they do now through COVID-19 payment support.
“We’re delivering record investment in dentistry – with a 9% increase in the budget for NHS dental services in 2022-23 – and there has been a 39% increase in the number of high-street dentists in Scotland between 2007 and 2021. Last year there were 55.6 dentists per 100,000 of the population providing NHS care in Scotland compared to 39.9 in England.
“We are absolutely committed to improving oral health, including the removal of NHS dental charges during the lifetime of this Parliament.”
Chief Dental Officer Tom Ferris said: “We know how important it is that NHS dental teams get the right support to carry on providing the services patients need. We’re confident that these revised arrangements are a step in the right direction to improving access, by linking financial support to seeing patients.
“We have been sharing our proposals with the British Dental Association from before Christmas, listening to the concerns of the sector and the need to avoid the cliff-edge when the emergency support payments come to an end.
“These revised arrangements are in addition to £50 million of financial support for dentists during the pandemic, along with £35 million of PPE. It also comes on top of new and increased fees for dentists for a range of treatments including enhanced appointments from 1 Feb 2022.”
However The British Dental Association Scotland has warned that dental practices will continue to face grave uncertainty, as the Scottish Government moved to impose an interim funding model for the service without meaningful negotiation.
While the BDA has welcomed the introduction of a ‘multiplier’ to be applied to dental fees, dentists have significant concerns that the planned 3-month review will have serious implications for patient care and will leave practices unable to plan.
The union remains steadfastly opposed to the return to the unworkable high volume/low margin model of care that operated pre-COVID, and has urged the Government to apply the multiplier until new contractual arrangements are in place.
The BDA had argued that the Scottish Government needed to significantly increase the current inadequate fees for extractions and denture repairs. Increased lab fees mean that dentists often provide these treatments at a loss, and the treatments are particularly prevalent in more deprived areas so any reduction in provision may further widen oral health inequalities.
The announcement follows a bruising debate in Holyrood last week, in which all opposition parties accused the Scottish Government of failing to heed the warnings from the BDA on the potential collapse of NHS dentistry in Scotland.
A BDA survey from late last year reported that 80% of dentists expect their practices will reduce their NHS commitment should the Scottish Government withdraw emergency support and return to pre-COVID models of care.
Dentist leaders have also warned that comments made yesterday by the Public Health Minister fly in the face of the facts, given the tight restrictions practices continue to work to.
Maree Todd MSP incorrectly stated that “from April, the new system will support dentists to see more patients”: an impossibility without meaningful change to COVID operating procedures.
Both the Scottish Government and the BDA recognise the urgent need for long-term contractual reform. The Government has committed to start discussions as soon as the interim funding model is in place. The BDA stress the negotiations must include all practice activity – including work on prevention that is currently unremunerated – and adopt an evidence-based approach to address the current low fees.
David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said:“Bruised by the political pressure that’s been brought to bear in recent weeks Ministers have railroaded through a package that will leave practices totally unable to plan.
“The idea this package is the result of meaningful negotiation is laughable, and any idea that practices can see more patients from April flies in the face of the facts. Dentists are still working to tight restrictions, and there is no sense we are returning to anything resembling ‘business as usual’. The Government needs to communicate this clearly to patients.
“Applying a multiplier is the right call but the Government should have taken this opportunity to address derisory fees. We have faced the absurd situation where dentists are providing NHS care at a loss.
“What NHS dentists desperately needed was some certainty on what’s expected of them in the year ahead. The choice to put these new arrangements in place for just three months is an exercise in futility.”
Two men have been convicted of the attempted murder of another man in Edinburgh in 2020.
Paul O’Docherty, 30 and Jake O’Docherty, 27, (pictured) were found guilty on Tuesday (1st March) following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
They attacked the man, who was 34-years-old at the time, in an alleyway off Panmure Place during the evening of Sunday, 13 September, 2020.
Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor said: “Both O’Dochertys subjected this man to a violent attack which has had lasting impact on the life of the victim.
“They will now face the consequences of their brutal behaviour following this guilty verdict.While it cannot change what happened, this will hopefully provide some closure for the victim.”
The two men are due to be sentenced on Monday, 28 March.
PM statement on the vote at the UN General Assembly: 2 March 2022
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We are united in our abhorrence to the evil actions of Putin’s regime and stand side-by-side on the international stage as we deplore its aggression in the strongest possible terms.
“Rarely has the contrast between right and wrong been so stark. 141 countries voted to condemn Putin’s war.
“Along with my almost daily conversations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, I have engaged world leaders in our joint mission to denounce Russia’s actions and make clear – for the sake of innocent civilians – Russia should withdraw from Ukraine and Putin must fail.
“We are – and will continue to be – unified in our resounding admiration for the courage and bravery of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.”
“International pressure will not relent until every Russian soldier is out of Ukraine”
UK statement after UN General Assembly vote on aggression against Ukraine
Thank you, Mr President, Colleagues,
The United Nations spoke clearly this morning.
141 countries voted in favour of this resolution and against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
It is a clear message:
that we condemn President Putin’s war;
that we support the Ukrainian people;
that we uphold the principles of the Charter.
Russia’s international isolation is clear for all to see.
The Russian people did not want this isolation. They did not want this war.
President Putin’s decision to start this war has made Russia a global pariah.
We will ensure President Putin’s war of choice comes at a heavy cost.
International pressure and isolation will not relent until every Russian soldier is out of Ukraine.
The free world stands with the people of Ukraine.
Our votes today are for the brave Ukrainians who are suffering the barbaric shelling of their cities and are besieged by Russian forces.
We must support the Ukrainian people with the diplomatic, economic, humanitarian and defensive military assistance they so desperately need.
And our votes today are for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of every state.
We have stood up against those who seek to redraw the world’s borders by threat or use of force.
For if President Putin’s aggression against Ukraine goes unchecked, which country could be next?
Today we have shown that we will defend together the Charter and the rules we built together.
I thank you, Mr President.
Dame Barbara Woodward, the UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New Yorkyesterday
To find out how sentimental the country is, Ryman decided to find out which moments top the list for which Brits would relive, given the chance. And it turns out, Edinburgh residents are not always as sentimental as the rest of the nation.
The moment Edinburgh dwellers would most like to relive is the birth of their child. 35.29% of respondents said this is the moment they’d most like to experience again – slightly higher than the national average.
Second on the list was in fact their wedding day, with 29.41% of respondents, more than 10% higher than the national average!
Coming in third place is a less sentimental answer – highlighting the love Edinburgh dwellers have for getting away – with 25% voting to relive the holiday of a lifetime.
Despite being more sentimental to some key moments such as the birth of their child, fewer residents of Edinburgh would opt to relive the day they got their pet; less than 9% of respondents agreed this would be the day they’d hurry back given the chance. This compares to almost 15% nationally.
In fact, more people would relive their holiday of a lifetime (25%) over the day they got their beloved pet!
In other shocking news, Edinburgh residents were less interested in reminiscing about the day of their proposal, with only 2.94% of respondents selecting this moment, making this nearly 5% less than the national average – the second lowest score out of all of those quizzed!
See the full table of results below, while the national results can be found here.
What moment(s) or day(s), if any, would you most like to relive?
The birth of my child/children
35.29%
The holiday of a lifetime
25.00%
The time I first met my partner
19.12%
A family holiday from childhood
17.65%
My wedding day
29.41%
The day I got a pet (dog, cat, etc.)
8.82%
The day I found out I was having a baby
11.76%
There is no moment or day that I would like to relive
10.29%
The day I bought my first house
11.76%
Achieving a lifelong ambition or skill (winning an award, graduating, etc.)
11.76%
Eating the best meal I’ve ever had
4.41%
The day I left a job I didn’t like
5.88%
The day I was proposed to/proposed
2.94%
Ticking an activity off my bucket list (skydiving, charity work, etc.)
Popular Netflix series, The Crown, has boosted visitor numbers to Scotland’s East Cairngorms, the home to the royal family’s Scottish seat, Balmoral Castle, according to local tourism guides.
Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG) has attributed this, in part, to the interest the drama has sparked in the area’s local history and heritage.
Simon Blackett, who owns and runs Yellow Welly Tours, says that similar to the effect that other viral TV series have had on Scotland, the same is being experienced in the East Cairngorms.
“Hype around The Crown has definitely increased visitors’ interest in the area’s royal connection. It’s certainly worked in our favour as people want to know what we think and over the years I’ve been lucky to meet members of the royal family so I can give visitors a feel for the role they play and the fantastic interest they take in the local area.
“Interestingly though, visitors’ curiosity goes beyond our more recent royal history with most particularly intrigued by the Jacobite period with the 6th Earl of Mar raising the standard in Braemar to signify the start of the 2nd Jacobite Rising in 1715.”
To help visitors explore the area’s rich history – which includes clan wars, Queen Victoria’s role in establishing a strong royal tie and military occupations – the BBA and BTG have launched the Jacobite Whisky Trail as part of their Imagine More campaign.
The trail will combine whisky with the area’s unique history starting with the Jacobite period. Tourists in the area can explore the landmarks, and relive the experiences of bygone eras, by planning their visit through a new interactive site map produced by BTG and BBA.
The trail also takes you to important heritage locations such as Braemar Castle, the nearby graveyard, Braemar village and the monument commemorating the Raising of the Standard for the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
Further west the trail reaches the River Quoich Punchbowl where, the previous day, a huge gathering of Jacobite leaders and clansmen had toasted ‘the King over the Water’ from a large hollow in the flat rocks, filled with whisky and honey.
Maureen Kelly, who is a guide at Braemar Castle, says that although the East Cairngorms was similar to the ‘Wild West’ from the 16th to the 18th century, major historic moments have occurred there throughout the ages.
“Looking beyond the Jacobite period, there are so many stories and major events for visitors to immerse themselves in. During the Second World War the East Cairngorms was home to commandoes doing artic training; Canadian lumberjacks who established a camp near Mar Lodge to support the war effort harvesting wood from the Caledonian forest; and around 100 evacuated Belgian children were housed in the Invercauld Arms Hotel.”
The campaign, which includes a website, promotional video, digital trail map, and trip planner, is part of a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity.
Helping Your Community Grow initiative in Edinburgh
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is helping green spaces and indoor areas across Edinburgh and the Lothians blossom this spring with the return of its much-loved Helping Your Community Grow initiative, with an enhanced sustainability focus for 2022.
Launched in 2010, the initiative encourages people across Edinburgh to take care of their green spaces. For 2022, Dobbies is seeking local groups striving to help their community space flourish in a sustainable way.
Both the Dobbies and little dobbies stores are offering the opportunity to get involved. Whether it’s a community allotment project to get kids eating more fruit and vegetables, a wildflower garden with pollinating flowers for bees and insects or a calming outdoor space for boosting mental health, Dobbies wants to help communities transform their space.
Helping Your Community Grow is calling for local groups from all over the Lothians to get in touch through an application form via Dobbies’ website, showcasing their community space that needs some attention and what they plan to do if they receive Dobbies’ support.
Successful groups will be given advice, products and time to help transform their outdoor spaces using Dobbies’ sustainable products where possible.
This could include peat-free compost, recycled and recyclable pots, UK-sourced plants and safer pest control products. The team at the little dobbies store in Stockbridge are looking to transform an indoor space with air purifying houseplants that will breathe life into a community space.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “Community is at the forefront of what we do at Dobbies and we’re proud to be relaunching our Helping Your Community Grow initiative in our Edinburgh stores this spring.
“We had a brilliant variety of applications last year and it was great to see local community spaces, school vegetable patches and memorial gardens benefit from our support.
“We are particularly keen to hear from projects in Edinburgh who have a sustainable focus to their work and our teams will share their knowledge of sustainable products and practices, to ensure a truly eco-friendly approach.”
In addition to the regional winners, one national winner will receive further support.
Claire Blowers from Noadswood PSA, the national winner from 2021 said: “We really benefitted from entering Helping Your Community Grow in 2021.
“We had invaluable support and advice from the team, along with products that enabled us to transform our space. I would highly recommend community projects submitting entries for this year’s initiative.”
Getting involved couldn’t be easier. Eligible projects must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store or 5 miles of the little dobbies’ Stockbridge store.
Travelling too fast for the conditions or excessive speed reported in 21% of fatal collisions
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland* is running a campaign to tackle the serious issue of speeding, delivering a clear message for drivers – ‘there’s no excuse for speeding, even if it’s just a little bit.’
Speeding is one of the riskiest driving behaviours, with travelling too fast for the conditions or excessive speed reported in 21% of fatal collisions, and in 10% of all reported accidents.1
Exceeding the speed limit on all road types is surprisingly common:
33% of people admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 30mph zones at least once in the past year.
31% admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 20mph areas in the last year.
8% admit to having driven at least once in the past year at 90mph on the motorway.
27% of drivers admit to having sped up through amber at least once in the past year.
13% admit they have exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph in a 30mph zone.2
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “Speeding remains a factor in a number of fatal and serious collisions every year. That’s why I welcome this campaign to tackle this serious issue and deliver a clear message to drivers.
“A collision involving speed can have far-reaching consequences, not only affecting the driver but also their family, the victim’s family, emergency services, and people who witness the incident.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re only slightly over the speed limit – however you try and justify it, there is no excuse for speeding.”
According to Police Scotland many drivers try and justify their speeding behaviour when they’re caught, with excuses including running out of petrol, the road being quiet, trying to beat the rush hour, knowing the road well, and other traffic also being perceived as exceeding the speed limit.
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “All too often police officers experience first-hand the tragic consequences of excessive speed on our roads.
“The dangers of speeding are well-known and the consequences can be devastating, life changing and long lasting. Excessive or inappropriate speed can cause serious harm to others, especially more vulnerable road users and it’s a risk not worth taking.
“If you’re caught speeding you will be fined, have your licence endorsed and could even lose your licence.”
Running across multiple platforms including radio and digital, the Scotland-wide campaign highlights some of the excuses commonly used by drivers to justify their speeding behaviours, while reminding those behind the wheel that, if they’re caught, they could face severe penalties.
By repeating the words ‘a little bit’ over and over, the ad creative emphasises that it doesn’t matter that you’re only slightly over the speed limit – you know there’s no excuse for speeding.
The RNIB See Differently Awards, alongside headline sponsor Amazon Alexa, recognise and celebrate outstanding work to support people with sight loss.
A campaigning group of people from Edinburgh have been shortlisted for an RNIB See Differently Award in recognition of their work to keep eye care services for blind and partially sighted people in their area.
Keep Edinburgh Eye Pavilion (KEEP) has been shortlisted in the Team of the Year category. This award seeks to recognise a team that has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted.
The group was formed following news in late 2020 that the replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, the main eye clinic serving the south-east of Scotland, would not go ahead as planned. The provision would instead be moved to the site of St John’s Hospital in Livingston, some 15 miles away from the current Eye Pavilion.
Chaired by Sylvia Paton from Corstophine, all members of KEEP have a visual impairment.
Sylvia, who has sight loss and attends the Eye Pavilion, was asked to comment on the announcement by a local journalist. She did so, outlining her objections which included poor transport links and a site that would be extremely difficult for blind and partially sighted people to navigate.
Sylvia was also worried that losing the Eye Pavilion, which is a teaching hospital, would set scientific research back.
After the interview, a number of people reached out to Sylvia. She said they told her: “We’ve all sat back for long enough.” Those conversations led to the establishment of the Keep Edinburgh Eye Pavilion (KEEP) campaign group.
After seeking advice and support from sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, KEEP began a campaign of letter writing. They wrote multiple letters to key decision makers, including members of the Scottish Government.
Their campaign has led to the Scottish Government and NHS Lothian agreeing that a new eye hospital in Edinburgh should be operational within five years.
There are now eight blind and partially sighted members of KEEP and the group meets at least once a month. Members join online or over the phone and all research, outcomes and other decisions are shared electronically so they are accessible to everyone.
Sylvia said: “I am so pleased for the KEEP team to be shortlisted and therefore recognised for the work they have done. Every member has their own skills, strengths, and experiences, helping the team work together with one objective, to KEEP and improve eye care services in Edinburgh. This recognition will strengthen the work we do.”
The RNIB See Differently Awards, which will be hosted by TV personality and entrepreneur Amar Latif will recognise and celebrate outstanding work to support people with sight loss. They aim to highlight the contributions being made to break down barriers and improve the world for people with sight loss.
RNIB chief executive Matt Stringer said: “The RNIB See Differently Awards celebrate people who are dedicated to making the world a better place for blind and partially sighted people. Our shortlisted National Finalists are all brilliant and we wish them the best of luck.”
The awards will recognise exceptional individuals and teams across seven categories: Campaigner of the Year, Community Contributor of the Year, Best Social Media Impact of the Year, Team of the Year, Employer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year and the Design for Everyone Award.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place on 29 March 2022.
Scotland sends £2.9 million of urgently needed items
Scotland is sending critical medical supplies and equipment to help Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia.
Over 500,000 emergency items valued at about £2.9 million, including hypodermic needles and oxygen masks are being donated by NHS Scotland.
An initial donation will be flown from Stansted Airport in Essex to Poland tomorrow (Thursday) for onward transport to Ukraine and includes wound dressings and bandages. These supplies are urgently needed by the Ukrainian Government.
The medical aid is in addition to £4 million of humanitarian assistance for Ukraine announced by the Scottish Government on Monday, which will help provide basic support such as shelter, water and sanitation.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the NHS equipment storage facility in Motherwell to see the supplies being loaded. She said: “Scotland stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and we are ready to provide whatever support we can in their hour of need.
“The Ukrainian Government has requested critical medical assistance and I am proud of our NHS and all those who have worked tirelessly in recent days to make this initial consignment possible. We will deliver the rest of the supplies as quickly as we can.
“Scotland has strong links with Ukraine – Edinburgh is twinned with Kyiv and many Ukrainians have chosen our country as their home – and we will continue to provide practical help as it faces Russia’s unprovoked and illegal aggression.”
NHS National Services Scotland Chief Executive Mary Morgan said: “We are all very saddened by what is happening in Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“Colleagues across NHS National Services Scotland, quickly mobilised to compile this shipment of necessary medical equipment which will go towards supporting the people of Ukraine, and we as an organisation will do whatever we can to support this period of uncertainty.
“Time is of the essence in this these situations, and thanks goes to the NHS teams for a fantastic effort in the coordination of this effort to support the humanitarian effort of Ukraine.”
