Minutes:
4.1 Lucy Davies was in attendance to provide an update on Healthwatch.
4.2 Greg Fell stated that significant efforts had been made to support those with learning difficulties in accessing support. Greg Fell asked whether HealthWatch had received feedback that human communication was preferred to digital services. Lucy Davies stated that this feedback had been received.
4.3 Councillor Mick Rooney asked whether there was an understanding of how wide spread issues with NHS dentist provision in Sheffield were. He also asked whether a debate on fluoridation had taken place. He asked whether any members of the board were able to influence the provision of NHS dentistry.
4.4 Dr Terry Hudsen stated that NHS dentistry was commissioned by NHS England. He stated he would contact NHS England directly to ask for their representation at this meeting. On the scale of the issue with NHS dentistry, Lucy Davies stated that 35% of dentists in Sheffield did not accept NHS patients, and that those who did could not offer appointments within a year. Greg Fell stated that NHS dentistry was more easily accessible in Sheffield in comparison with the wider country. He stated that privatised dentistry was an issue. He stated that he felt NHS dentistry was working on this issue. He said there was a scheduled conversation on oral health due to take place in August or September. On fluoridation, he stated that a technical feasibility study had taken place on this. He said this had been difficult to complete, in part due to the pandemic. He said this needed a formal consultation. He stated that he felt there needed to be a debate on this, with a political steer given in order to progress.
4.5 Dr David Black asked how the HealthWatch research linked to those with autism and learning difficulties. Lucy Davies stated that as HealthWatch received feedback they fed this into the NHS experience team. She said that monthly insight reports were put together and distributed to all providers within the city. Dr Hudsen stated the provider perspective was welcome.
4.6 Councillor Johnson asked who compiled the list of dentists which accept NHS patients, as he stated he had found when calling these locations, they often stated they were not accepting NHS patients. Dr Hudsen stated a note would be made of this.