Debates between Martin Vickers and Maria Caulfield during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Wed 20th Oct 2021

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Martin Vickers and Maria Caulfield
Tuesday 24th January 2023

(1 year, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Maria Caulfield Portrait Maria Caulfield
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As the hon. Gentleman knows—we discussed the issue over the telephone last week—the decision was taken to wind down the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory because the number of PCR tests has reduced significantly and NHS laboratories can take that capacity. There is a residual service and additional use of the laboratory is being considered.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
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I recently met a dentist in my constituency whose practice group operates over 19 sites where the rate for units of dental activity ranges from £25 to £36. He is convinced that there needs to be a uniform UDA rate to attract NHS dentists to areas such as Cleethorpes. Can the Minister consider that?

NHS Dentistry: Lincolnshire

Debate between Martin Vickers and Maria Caulfield
Wednesday 20th October 2021

(3 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Maria Caulfield Portrait Maria Caulfield
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My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point, which I was going to address. Officials tell me that the areas where we are seeing significant gaps are referred to as “sheep” and “seagulls,” with the sheep being rural areas and the seagulls being coastal stretches. They are the two areas of the country with a significant shortfall in NHS dentistry provision, and they are the two areas on which we will particularly focus.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
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My constituency contains both sheep and seagulls. One of the problems, of course, is that rural villages and market towns are attracting increasing populations and we are seeing massive planning applications. I cite Barton-upon-Humber in my constituency as one example. What work is the Department doing with local authorities to make sure that, where there are major planning applications, public services and particularly dentistry are sufficient to meet the need?

Maria Caulfield Portrait Maria Caulfield
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My hon. Friend makes a good point, and across Government Departments we are discussing the provision of both general practitioners and dentists for new developments. I am keen that dentistry is on a par with GP provision, because it is often an afterthought. I am keen that we push it up the agenda, and this debate helps.