NHS Ayrshire and Arran funding and NHS Dental provision: FOI release

Information requested

The First Minister and the Health Secretary have on many occasions now stated that the Government is committed to ending the 8.30am Scramble at GP Surgeries and also having Zoom , Teams consultations.

So can you provide me with the following as NHS Ayrshire and Arran is saying this is not the case.

1. What Financial Assistance has the Scottish Government given to NHS Ayrshire and Arran in 25/26 and 26/27 to stop the 8am scambles.

2. What Financial Assistance has the Scottish Government Given to NHS Ayrshire and Arran in 25/26 and 26/27 to allow the restart of the Video Consultations in GP surgeries.

3. NHS Dental provision what Financial Assistance has the Scottish Government give to Dentists for the supply of dentures under NHS costing given that some dentists are now charging for dentures and refusing to do crowns.

Response

In respect of general practice this is a formal notice under section 17 of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested this is because the Scottish 

Government has not specifically allocated money to NHS Ayrshire and Arran to alleviate the “8am rush” or restart Video Consultations.

In 2025/26 NHS Ayrshire and Arran was allocated £70.23 million for general medical services.

Funding for 2026/27 has not yet been allocated, however £98 million additional funding for general medical services across Scotland in 2026-27 was announced in the Scottish Budget to strengthen the workforce and improve access, quality, patient outcomes and sustainability. We are also providing a further £36 million to establish new high street walk-in GP services, providing additional same-day access for communities.

Scottish Budget 2026 to 2027 - gov.scot

The NHS dental payment reform introduced in November 2023 provided a revised Item of Service framework within the Statement of Dental Renumeration, detailing the full NHS dental treatment offer. The fees were revised to better reflect market conditions at the time, including the costs of materials and external laboratory fees, and have been subject to two further pay uplifts – 6% in 2024/25 and 4% in 2025/26. The revised fee structure continues to include dentures within the NHS treatment offer. The Statement of Dental Remuneration applies consistently across Scotland in all Health Boards, ensuring NHS dentists have access to a comprehensive range of treatment options based on patients’ clinical needs.

Officials have raised this matter with the Dental Director in Ayrshire and Arran who advised that NHS dentures are being provided in the area under the terms contained in the Statement of Dental Remuneration. The Health Board is not aware of NHS dentists refusing to offer dentures or crowns through the NHS dental service.

It may be helpful if I explain that Dental examinations in Scotland are free for NHS patients, this includes both the extensive clinical exam and the review exam. Patients who pay for their treatment will pay 80% of the cost, up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment.

Free dental treatment is available for people who are:

• under 26 years of age;
• pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months;
• in receipt of certain benefits.

More information on eligibility for free NHS dental treatment is available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/receiving-nhs-dental-treatme….

People who are not eligible for free NHS dental treatment but still have difficulty paying NHS charges may qualify for help under the NHS Low Income Scheme. More information on Help with Health Costs can be found at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/access/help-withhealth-costs#low-

If you are unhappy with the NHS dental treatment offered, you may wish to raise your concerns with the practice in the first instance. Every dental practice should have a complaints procedure, and they can provide you with information on this.

If you are unable to resolve your concern directly with the practice, or due to the circumstances of your complaint do not feel comfortable contacting them, then you can contact your NHS Board. The NHS Board has responsibility for the oversight of dental practices in their area and will have a complaints procedure which they can advise you on. NHS Ayrshire And Arran can be contacted by email at: complaintsteam@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202600502394 - Information Released - Annex

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