Northern Ireland Overview

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Click here for some frequently asked questions for members working in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland the NHS is called the Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS). The work of the Primary Care Trust or NHS Trust (found in England) is performed by the Health and Social Services Board (HSSB) and the Business Services Organisation (BSO). The Department of Health has a longer title than the English equivalent and is known as the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), whilst the functions of England's Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) are carried out by the Patient and Client Council. Dentistry in the NHS in Northern Ireland still operates under the ‘old' system where patients are registered under a capitation or continuing care arrangement with the dentist, with the dentist being paid a fee per item of service. A pilot scheme for a new NHS style contract in Northern Ireland is being implemented later on this year.

The various fees are set out in the Northern Ireland version of the ‘Statement of Dental Remuneration' (SDR) which differs slightly from the Scottish SDR and the former English version. Payments under the NHS are made to dentists by the BSO which is also responsible for running the Dental Reference Service. Dental Reference Officers in Northern Ireland are responsible for examining patients both in respect of dentists seeking prior approval for treatment, and for assessing the standard of the completed treatment, as well as verifying the claims.

The BSO and Health Boards operate an active monitoring system and often ask dentists for records cards which are then checked against the claim forms to corroborate the claims which have been made for these patients. This is called a Claims Record Check (CRC); a process intended to assure probity for GDS claims.

On occasion the BSO may seek a recovery of fees paid to the dentist if the claim made on the HP45 claim form is not supported by the patient's clinical records. Dental Protection's dento-legal advisers are always happy to assist members who believe such action is unreasonable and inappropriate in their case.

Under the current NHS complaints system, the NHS complaints procedure has two stages:

1. Local resolution, including conciliation

2. Referral to the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints.

The Health & Social Care Board can perform an ‘honest broker’ role in dealing with complaints at a local level with the agreement of both parties.

Civil law in Northern Ireland is subject to different Court Rules than in England and Wales nor can solicitors work on a ‘no win, no fee' basis. Dental Protection retains solicitors in Northern Ireland who are instructed to act on behalf of a member if the allegations being made may be investigated in a Court or in a forum such as the GDC.