Letters
we’re calling for the whole exercise to be postponed; it is unacceptable that it should go ahead while concerns of this magnitude exist. The uplift issue was not
straightforward and was debated at length by the ı6 members of SDPC. We did not “cave in”. We undertook a structured appraisal of the options and made a considered judgement. Ultimately, we concluded that the clear threat that any uplift would be
withdrawn meant that we had to secure that funding for practices. Considered solely as a matter of principle, we might have told Scottish Govern- ment what it could do with its 2.5 per cent, but we’re not dealing with principles, we’re dealing with underfunded practices across Scotland that are struggling to survive and desperately need that money to continue caring for their patients. And the uplift is important not just in the short
term of course, but the longer term too, because it contributes to the baseline figure upon which future funding and pensions are calculated. While the Scottish Govern-
ment remains committed to the recovery exercise going ahead, we urge practitioners to take the steps not to get caught out by it; request your data and check it carefully and, if you are a BDA member, avail yourself of our expertise. We have written to practitioners
explaining what they should do in more detail. But we certainly haven’t
given up on the exercise going ahead yet; so please join us in making the point to your own MSP and the Minister. The more of us that write, the better the chance that we will be listened to.
® Robert Donald, Chair, Scottish Dental Practice Committee, British Dental Association
Trainers raise meeting concerns
Dear Dr David Felix, The West of Scotland trainers met on Thursday 9 January as we had discussed at the first of the Task & Finish meetings. The format of the day, however, was
very different to previous gatherings in that we all met in small groups in different locations, principally to discuss the GDC Standards document and how it relates to VDP’s and VT training in Scotland. In my particular group, we were actively dissuaded from discussing both the superannuation issue or anything else pertaining to remuneration for trainers. Despite this, at least two of the groups discussed the pension deductions made and the recent letter from the CDO. A number of points were discussed during afternoon session among the groups. There appeared to be no clarification
about the superannuation deductions. Trainers are unable, for instance, to access the information from SPPA regarding updated pension statements. They do not know what was deducted and when and how much has been refunded. It was made quite clear to us last year that the payment to trainers of superannuation on the trainees gross NHS income was
Comments
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illegal. It would appear that payments were not in breach of pension regulations after all and that it was only the way that these regulations had been interpreted. Trainers would like to know if any deduc- tions made prior to the April ı 20ı3 are also to be reimbursed and, if not, why? When the groups
eventually came together at the Royal College, it was apparent that similar conversations had taken place across the schemes. It was made quite clear that despite all the trainers being present,
“There was no chat about how great it is to be a trainer”
there was no time allocated for general discussion. There was, however, a brief discus- sion following the speaker for this evening session. Some of the issues were discussed and a straw poll of the
trainers present found no one happy with the present arrangements. On Thursday, there
was no rallying call to training that usually takes place. There was no chat about how great it is to be a trainer and how much kudos this brings to a
practice. There was no information as to whether there would be any incentives to training. Instead, we were informed that only 3ı applications by trainers had been received by NES. It was also indicated that this year trainers would be appointed without even the need for an interview. This is potentially undermining further
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Scottish Dental magazine 23
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