Written question asked by Martin Linton (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 30 March 2001. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Friday, 30 March 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dentists in Battersea have expanded their practice to treat more NHS patients through the Commitment Payment Scheme since April 2000. - Inc fact that information is not held centrally in the format requested.

Answer: Mr. Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Battersea have expanded their practice to treat more NHS patients through the Commitment Payment Scheme since April 2000. [154832] Mr. Hutton: The information required is not held centrally in the format requested. Information on dental practices is held by health authority. The number of General Dental Service (GDS) dentists in Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority receiving commitment payments at the different levels for the June 2000 quarter and December 2000 quarter are shown in the table. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of dentists Level of Payments April to June 2000 October to December 2000 Level 1-£25 24 18 Level 2-£112.50 or £168.75 8 12 Level 3-£222 or £333 17 12 Level 4-£334 or £501 32 30 Level 5-£445 or £667.50 7 12 Level 6-£556 or £834 16 15 Total 104 99 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The value of a commitment payment paid to a dentist in the GDS depends on their level of commitment. Those who qualify may get a payment ranging from £25 for those doing some work within GDS to £834 for those aged 45 or over who have the highest levels of commitment.

Secondary information