Chamber and committees

This information is not held centrally.

Yes, the Scottish Government will take part in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2014.

The following table shows the number of patients dispensed Z drugs, Benzodiazipines or SSRIs during the financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Please note that the data is collected in time bands relating to the financial year, not calendar years.

Source: Prescribing Information System.

Z Drugs included are zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone as listed in section 4.1.1 (Hypnotics) of the British National Formulary (BNF).

Benzodiazepines are those included in BNF section 4.1.1 (Hypnotics), and BNF section 4.1.2 (Anxiolytics).

SSRI figures are taken from the Medicines for Mental Health publication from September 2012:

http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Publications/index.asp

Patient count is a count of all unique Community Health Index (CHI) numbers, which act as unique patient identifiers, within each financial year. This will not include prescriptions of these drugs made to patients for whom no CHI number could be ascertained.

Since 2007-2008, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has spent the following on repairs and maintenance at the Glasgow Dental Hospital:

The figures include estates staffing costs.

The main concern of the Scottish Government is that dentists beginning independent practice in Scotland are able to function safely. The General Dental Council, as the Professional regulatory body for dentists, is currently undertaking a review of vocational training and the Scottish Government will take appropriate action based on the findings of the review.

There are no plans to replace the current building. A programme of investment established in 2007-08 into the building infrastructure continues on an annual basis.

Since 2007-08 a total of £11,014,000 has been invested, with a further £2 million to be invested in 2013-2014.

All dental practitioners are regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC). The professional regulation of dentists is reserved to the UK Government by the Scotland Act 1998. The General Dental Council (GDC) has UK-wide statutory responsibility for safeguarding the public by maintaining the register of dentists who are qualified and competent to work in the UK.

The GDC also regulates dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists.

Any dentist or dental body corporate wishing to provide, or assist with the provision, of NHS General Dental Services (GDS) in an area is required to join the relevant NHS board’s dental list. As part of the NHS board’s listing procedures applicants are required to provide a range of information, including references, criminal record certificates, etc. To check safety and quality all NHS boards are required to inspect practice premises from where NHS GDS are provided in their area on a three year rolling programme. Treatment provided under GDS is monitored by NHS boards and Practitioner Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland.

NHS general dental services are regulated under Section 25 of the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978 and the NHS (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2010. The professional regulation of dentists is specifically reserved to the UK Government by The Scotland Act 1998. The General Dental Council (GDC) has UK-wide statutory responsibility for safeguarding the public by maintaining the register of dentists who are qualified and competent to work in the UK.

The GDC also regulates, dental nurses, dental technicians clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists. However the legislation governing the regulation of dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists is devolved to the Scottish Parliament as the groups were regulated following The Scotland Act 1998.

As part of normal workforce planning arrangements, the Scottish Government keeps under regular review the future needs for the NHSScotland dental workforce.

Following extensive analytical work undertaken jointly by NHS Education for Scotland and National Services Scotland, as published in their bi-annual report Dental Workforce Report – September 2012, and taking into consideration advice from the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland, the Scottish Government has agreed to reduce the number of funded dental student places by 17 for the 2013-14 academic year.

NHS general dental services (GDS) and all dental practices which provide any GDS are subject to inspection and monitoring and there are very few dental practices in Scotland which do not provide some NHS care. However, Dental practices in Scotland which provide only private treatment are not subject to regulation at this time.

All dental practitioners are regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC). The professional regulation of dentists is reserved to the UK Government by the Scotland Act 1998. The GDC has UK-wide statutory responsibility for safeguarding the public by maintaining the register of dentists who are qualified and competent to work in the UK. The GDC also regulates; dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists.