Briefings, advice or updates regarding complaints, incidents or patient safety concerns in mixed NHS/private dental practices: FOI release

Information requested

1. Since 1 January 2023, has the Minister received any formal briefings, advice, or updates from officials regarding complaints, incidents, or patient safety concerns in mixed NHS/private dental practices? Please answer yes or no.

If yes, please provide:
a) the date(s) of the most recent briefing(s), and
b) a brief summary of the issues raised.

If no such record exists, please confirm this explicitly.

2. Has the Minister formally considered or been advised on whether the current lack of practice-level governance for mixed NHS/private dental practices creates risks to patient safety? Please answer yes or no.

If yes, please provide a brief summary of the Minister’s position or any conclusions reached.

If no such record exists, please confirm this explicitly.

3. Since 1 January 2023, has the Minister set any expectations or deadlines for officials regarding improvements to complaints handling, patient escalation routes, or patient safety monitoring for mixed NHS/private dental practices? Please answer yes or no.

If yes, please provide:
a) the date any such expectations were set, and
b) a brief summary of what was requested.

If no such record exists, please confirm this explicitly.

4. Since 1 January 2023, has the Minister received any recommendations or proposals from the Chief Dental Officer, NHS National Services Scotland, or Healthcare Improvement Scotland concerning patient safety or complaints handling in mixed NHS/private dental practices? Please answer yes or no.

If yes, please state:
a) the date(s) any such recommendations were received, and
b) the current status of any decisions or next steps.

If no such record exists, please confirm this explicitly.

5. Has the Minister formally assessed or recorded whether the current governance arrangements for mixed NHS/private dental practices create risks to patient safety? Please answer yes or no.

If yes, please provide a brief summary of the risks identified.

If no such record exists, please confirm this explicitly.

Date range: 1 January 2023 to the date of this request.

Response

Please find below and enclosed the information you requested.

1. No, I can confirm no record exists.

2. Yes, however the details of the Minister’s position or any conclusions reached is exempt under exemption 30 (b) (i) Free & frank provision of advice.

3. No, I can confirm no record exists.

4. No, I can confirm no record exists.

5. No, I can confirm no record exists

About FOI

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