The BOS has continued to apply pressure to NHS England regarding the transitional proposals. Support has come from several sources including the BDA. A senior member of the NHS England commissioning team gave me the following information: it was their intention that the transitional proposals were an ‘audit tool’ and ‘benchmark’ against which providers can be evaluated as part of a future procurement exercise, in order to respond to local needs. I pointed out, however, that some LATs were already applying the ‘benchmark’, including a number of unworkable KPIs, in their new contracts and were pressing providers to sign. I was told that LATs were under no obligation at this point to apply any KPIs. They are at liberty to apply them if they wish but are free to decide for themselves whether to apply them or not. Some LATs have indicated they will roll current contracts over as they stand.
At the meeting on January 7th with David Geddes (Head of Commissioning for NHS England) it was suggested that it could be productive if the BOS attended an all-day workshop with the LATs in order to discuss local issues and how they would impact on providers. This will provide an opportunity to work together to develop a framework to guide local care. I was told that there is an expectation by NHS England that the LATs will adapt future contracts to accommodate local variations without imposing unworkable restraints on providers. The workshop will take place on February 26th and we agreed that it would be reasonable to advise members whose contracts expire next month, to urge their LATs to suspend negotiations until after this date, in their mutual best interests. I have also been advised by a member of the legal team at the BDA that local providers should gain strength in numbers and resist signing any contract they consider unworkable or unfair. Yet again, we are having to deal with last minute arrangements for our contracts but I am hoping we can at least have an impact during our meeting on February 26th.
Colin Wallis
Clinical Practice Director
British Orthodontic Society (registered charity 1073464), 12 Bridewell Place, London EC4V 6AP