Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether he plans for the two dental contract prototypes in Swansea to continue into 2017/18 and whether he plans to extend the prototype contract in a wider variety of areas and types of practices?
My officials are in regular dialogue with members of the dental prototype steering group. I will receive advice as this work progresses.
The current prototypes commenced in April 2016. An end of year report will be produced in summer 2017. Evaluation of the earlier pilot programme is available at: http://gov.wales/topics/health/professionals/dental/dentalpilot/?lang=en
I expect the two dental prototypes to continue into 2017/18. We will explore options to develop, test and refine the current contract to mirror the positive change witnessed in the two prototype practices. This will allow us to explore how we can adapt the contract to roll out good practice sustainably, increasing access and quality.