News

This BDA document summarises recent key developments and BDA Scotland activities.

For quick access, download the PDF and follow the simple steps: BigWord – Quick Guide incl. Multiparty – Secondary Care Hospitals – 01 code

Dear Contractors, We are writing to update you in relation to the Interpretation and Translation Service which is available through NHS Lothian. An on-demand telephone interpreting service provided by “The Big Word” is available for all NHS Lothian appointments. Please find attached the current quick guide on how to access the service for anyone who…

As you will be aware the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care issued a letter on 6 February 2023 that set out the roadmap around payment system reform for NHS dentistry. This letter references the Scottish Government’s intention to showcase the revised SDR, including fees, over the course of April. I wanted to advise…

The new SDCEP Drug Prescribing for Dentistry website is now available at www.sdcepdentalprescribing.nhs.scot. The new website should be used instead of the Dental Prescribing app, which is being withdrawn from the app stores and should be deleted from all devices. Further information available on the SDCEP website.

This document summarises recent key developments and BDA Scotland activities.

The full Conference report 2022 for the Conference of Scottish LDCs is now available. Read it here.

Just an update from the Out of Hours Team. Following a recent decision by the Scottish Government, in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Friday 3 June 2022 will now be treated as a Public Holiday for all NHS Scotland staff. Chalmers will cover this day via the NHS 24 on 111 for…

As you will all be aware one of the processes we used extensively during the pandemic was remote prescribing of antibiotics and analgesics for patients after a telephone consultation. This was supported by all pharmacies to help to minimize footfall in health care settings. Whilst the NHSL community pharmacy team continue to support this pattern…

Government Infrastructure funding I am writing subsequent to the recent PCA to remind you once again about the opportunity for Scottish Government grants that were made available to support the installation of ventilation and the purchase of speed increasing (red ring) handpieces. This funding is available to cover expenditure until the end of June this…

To SDPC (cc. other Scottish committees) We have just published a press release to respond to the PCA that the Scottish Government issued on Monday: Press releases Dentists: Higher examination fees will do little to address the backlog of unmet patient care (bda.org) It will be on our social media platforms soon. Please feel free…

Dear Colleagues Please find enclosed letter containing information on a range of topics including the revised dental SOP. Can I take this opportunity to thank you and your teams for your work delivering care to your patients and supporting NHS dental services more widely, it is appreciated. As I wrote a similar message this time…

It has come to our attention that some sites have upgraded their PCs to Windows 11. At present, NSS has not tested SCI Gateway using Windows 11 and as such advise that users DO NOT upgrade their PCs to Windows 11 at this time. Please share this communication with any relevant team within your Health…

Please see below the NHS Scotland covid self-isolation policy for healthcare staff with immediate update following the First Minister’s statement on Friday: Isolation Policy You will be aware that the existing self-isolation policy for health staff who are household or passing contacts of covid-19 positive cases, exempts them from the requirement to self-isolate for 10…

The BDA have just issued a survey to gather the views of GDPs on the letter the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care issued to dental teams last week about SG’s plans to reintroduce an (amended) SDR and end Covid support payments early next year:

As you are aware over the past 6 months there have been problems with the supply of emergency dental kits from ourselves. This has been due to lack of availability of Midazolam Oromucosal Solution and when available, only has a short shelf life.

Oral Health Service Unscheduled Care Out of Hours Service ####HIGH PRIORITY#### Out of Hours Care Letter

Dear LDC Secretaires, Nominations have now opened for the triennium elections to BDA committees https://www.bda.org/news-centre/latest-news-articles/Pages/Nominations-for-BDA-elections-are-now-open.aspx. Nominations will close at midday on Monday 25 October. If you have any queries, please contact elections@bda.org. If you could please pass this information onto your members. Kind regards, Kirsten

Local Contact Numbers Edinburgh City of Edinburgh Council
 Children & Families Social Care Direct: 0131 200 2327 or 2324
 Emergency Social Work Service: 0800 731 6969 
Website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk (Link: Social Care)

 Police
Force Communications Centre: 0131 311 3131
 Lothian and Borders Police website: www.lbp.police.uk Midlothian Midlothian Council 0131 270 7500
 Social Work
Children & Families: 0131 271…

The Scottish Dental Practice Committee (SDPC) held a meeting by videoconference on Wednesday 15 September 2021, to discuss the latest Covid-19 developments. This report provides a contemporary record of that meeting, but as this is a fast-moving situation, its content is likely to become rapidly out of date. The BDA provides live updates at https://www.bda.org/coronavirus