NHS dentist repeatedly cancels appointments
Discussion
Wondering if anyone else has had similar problems, or can point us in the right direction.
Our dentist had a change in staffing, where the guy we'd been with since we signed up as NHS patients is getting on a bit, and reducing his workload. We were given the option as adults of going private with him, while the kids remain NHS, or seeing another dentist in the practice.
We told them we were happy to remain NHS, and see whichever dentist they had available.
Since then, we have visited the dentist once in about two years as each time our a appointment comes round, the practice contacts us to inform us they have had to cancel our appointment. This has varied between the day before (we've just had a message on the home phone regarding tomorrows appointment) to ridiculously short notice (my wife came out of work to attend the only appointment they had, to receive a call as she parked her car in their car park!)
We've gone along with it before, giving them a bit of leeway regarding possible staff illness or similar, but this latest cancellation leaves me wondering whether it's a bigger problem.
Are NHS dentists paid with respect to the number of patients enrolled at their practice? Or just paid per treatment/appointment? I guess they rake in more money per minute from a private patient, but does their obligation to the NHS not extend to keeping appointments if they can get better paid work instead?
What's the best way of resolving this kind of problem? Do the NHS need to know? It's possible that if enough people being fobbed off are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that no complaints may have been made, and they aren't being brought to book.
Any advice from people in the know?
Our dentist had a change in staffing, where the guy we'd been with since we signed up as NHS patients is getting on a bit, and reducing his workload. We were given the option as adults of going private with him, while the kids remain NHS, or seeing another dentist in the practice.
We told them we were happy to remain NHS, and see whichever dentist they had available.
Since then, we have visited the dentist once in about two years as each time our a appointment comes round, the practice contacts us to inform us they have had to cancel our appointment. This has varied between the day before (we've just had a message on the home phone regarding tomorrows appointment) to ridiculously short notice (my wife came out of work to attend the only appointment they had, to receive a call as she parked her car in their car park!)
We've gone along with it before, giving them a bit of leeway regarding possible staff illness or similar, but this latest cancellation leaves me wondering whether it's a bigger problem.
Are NHS dentists paid with respect to the number of patients enrolled at their practice? Or just paid per treatment/appointment? I guess they rake in more money per minute from a private patient, but does their obligation to the NHS not extend to keeping appointments if they can get better paid work instead?
What's the best way of resolving this kind of problem? Do the NHS need to know? It's possible that if enough people being fobbed off are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that no complaints may have been made, and they aren't being brought to book.
Any advice from people in the know?
vladcjelli said:
Wondering if anyone else has had similar problems, or can point us in the right direction.
Our dentist had a change in staffing, where the guy we'd been with since we signed up as NHS patients is getting on a bit, and reducing his workload. We were given the option as adults of going private with him, while the kids remain NHS, or seeing another dentist in the practice.
We told them we were happy to remain NHS, and see whichever dentist they had available.
Since then, we have visited the dentist once in about two years as each time our a appointment comes round, the practice contacts us to inform us they have had to cancel our appointment. This has varied between the day before (we've just had a message on the home phone regarding tomorrows appointment) to ridiculously short notice (my wife came out of work to attend the only appointment they had, to receive a call as she parked her car in their car park!)
We've gone along with it before, giving them a bit of leeway regarding possible staff illness or similar, but this latest cancellation leaves me wondering whether it's a bigger problem.
Are NHS dentists paid with respect to the number of patients enrolled at their practice?
No
Or just paid per treatment/appointment?
For treatment provided only.
I guess they rake in more money per minute from a private patient, but does their obligation to the NHS not extend to keeping appointments if they can get better paid work instead?
Did the practice saying they were cancelling your appointment because they were seeing a private patient instead?
What's the best way of resolving this kind of problem?
Contact the practice and ask for the reasons for cancellation. If you don't believe them, find another dentist or use their practice complaints procedure
Do the NHS need to know? It's possible that if enough people being fobbed off are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that no complaints may have been made, and they aren't being brought to book.
Any advice from people in the know?
Our dentist had a change in staffing, where the guy we'd been with since we signed up as NHS patients is getting on a bit, and reducing his workload. We were given the option as adults of going private with him, while the kids remain NHS, or seeing another dentist in the practice.
We told them we were happy to remain NHS, and see whichever dentist they had available.
Since then, we have visited the dentist once in about two years as each time our a appointment comes round, the practice contacts us to inform us they have had to cancel our appointment. This has varied between the day before (we've just had a message on the home phone regarding tomorrows appointment) to ridiculously short notice (my wife came out of work to attend the only appointment they had, to receive a call as she parked her car in their car park!)
We've gone along with it before, giving them a bit of leeway regarding possible staff illness or similar, but this latest cancellation leaves me wondering whether it's a bigger problem.
Are NHS dentists paid with respect to the number of patients enrolled at their practice?
No
Or just paid per treatment/appointment?
For treatment provided only.
I guess they rake in more money per minute from a private patient, but does their obligation to the NHS not extend to keeping appointments if they can get better paid work instead?
Did the practice saying they were cancelling your appointment because they were seeing a private patient instead?
What's the best way of resolving this kind of problem?
Contact the practice and ask for the reasons for cancellation. If you don't believe them, find another dentist or use their practice complaints procedure
Do the NHS need to know? It's possible that if enough people being fobbed off are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that no complaints may have been made, and they aren't being brought to book.
Any advice from people in the know?
Are NHS dentists paid with respect to the number of patients enrolled at their practice? Or just paid per treatment/appointment?
They have a contract with NHS to provide x amount of UDA's/treatments each contract year, if they fail the agreed amount the normally have to pay back what they haven't done.
I guess they rake in more money per minute from a private patient, but does their obligation to the NHS not extend to keeping appointments if they can get better paid work instead?
Private normally only pays good with multiple visits and big work, hence higher charge for a check up
What's the best way of resolving this kind of problem? Do the NHS need to know? It's possible that if enough people being fobbed off are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that no complaints may have been made, and they aren't being brought to book.
Appointment failure needs to be addressed to practice manager or direct to dentist to resolve it, also the dentist may not know it's actually happening, or worse case he's just not really into it anymore and wants to knock it on the head
They have a contract with NHS to provide x amount of UDA's/treatments each contract year, if they fail the agreed amount the normally have to pay back what they haven't done.
I guess they rake in more money per minute from a private patient, but does their obligation to the NHS not extend to keeping appointments if they can get better paid work instead?
Private normally only pays good with multiple visits and big work, hence higher charge for a check up
What's the best way of resolving this kind of problem? Do the NHS need to know? It's possible that if enough people being fobbed off are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that no complaints may have been made, and they aren't being brought to book.
Appointment failure needs to be addressed to practice manager or direct to dentist to resolve it, also the dentist may not know it's actually happening, or worse case he's just not really into it anymore and wants to knock it on the head
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff