Latest news with #England-wide
Metro
07-07-2025
- Health
- Metro
NHS forces dentist to repay £150,000 'because his patients are too healthy'
A dentist says his surgery is being forced to pay £150,000 back to the health service effectively because his patients 'are being looked after better'. Rob Mew, who owns Fairfield House Dental Surgery in Exmouth, Devon, says his practice has around 19,000 NHS patients – and is one of the few left in the county still taking any. The NHS dentistry payment contract requires practices to carry out a set number of check-ups or treatments, which are scored as Units of Dental Activity (UDA) and tallied up. For example, a check-up is worth one UDA, while a filling is worth three. Speaking to The Mirror, Rob said his surgery has been ordered to repay £50,000 a month over three months despite having an all-time high number of patients on its books. He told the newspaper: 'We are being penalised for preventing patients requiring more UDAs. 'The clawback is for not doing enough UDAs but when patients are being looked after better they don't have as much need for dental work.' Rob said his surgery carries out free outreach work in the local community to improve dental health. It also gives patients a check-up every year, whereas many other clinics call the bulk of their patients back every two years. He warned the NHS dentistry funding model is driving dentists away from the public sector, saying Fairfield House is only able to carry on as an NHS practice out of 'good will'. Devon has been described as one of several 'dental deserts' in the UK where access to NHS dental care is severely limited. Last year's GP Patient Survey found 28% of patients registered with an NHS dental clinic could not get an appointment when they tried, compared to an England-wide average of 16%. The government has admitted that it's currently 'less cost effective' for dentists to carry out complex treatments like crowns and bridges and has pledged to 'overhaul the dental contract'. Plans set to be unveiled today will reportedly include a proposal by ministers that NHS dentists are given enough money to provide a set number of unscheduled appointments. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: 'This government inherited a broken NHS dental system but we are getting on with fixing it through our 10 Year Health Plan. 'We have already begun the rollout of 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments, a 'golden hello' scheme is underway to recruit dentists to areas with the most need and we are reforming the NHS dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists – including introducing tie-ins for those trained in the NHS.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Elderly woman dies after waiting 14 hours for ambulance following fall MORE: 'I made the first ready meals for supermarkets – now I fight deadly fake food' MORE: Doctor jailed for 'unnecessary genital exams' on teenage patients
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
New controls announced to keep Bluetongue out of Wales
These new control measures come as Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been successfully prevented from circulating in Wales. The virus primarily affects sheep, cattle, goats, deer, alpacas, and llamas, leading to severe health issues and economic impacts on farms. The disease is spread by biting midges, active mostly between April and November. It can also spread through the movement of infected animals. Wales remains BTV-3 free, and the government is now implementing updated movement controls in response to the introduction of an England-wide Bluetongue Restricted Zone effective from July 1. The government is keen for farm businesses to be well-informed about the disease. Farming Connect will host a webinar on Monday, June 30 at 7.30pm to provide more information. Farmers are encouraged to register through the Farming Connect Service Centre or the Farming Connect website. Vaccines are available to protect livestock from Bluetongue, and farmers are advised to consult their vets to determine if vaccination is suitable for their animals. The government remains committed to keeping Bluetongue out of Wales and ensuring the health and welfare of livestock, alongside protecting farm incomes.
Business News Wales
24-06-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Updated Bluetongue Guidance for Livestock Keepers
The Welsh Government has reinforced its commitment to protecting Welsh livestock from Bluetongue, a serious viral disease, with new disease control measures coming into effect in time for 1 July. To date, Wales has successfully kept Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) from circulating locally and remains BTV-3 free. Recognising the introduction of the England-wide Bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) from 1 July, Welsh Government is implementing updated movement controls to safeguard Welsh livestock. Bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease that impacts sheep, cattle, goats, deer, alpacas, and llamas and can have severe consequences for animal health and welfare, and farm incomes, causing illness, deaths, abortions, and birth defects, alongside significant movement restrictions and trade challenges. It is primarily spread by biting midges which are most active in the warmer months between April and November. Disease can also be spread by the movement of infected animals. Vaccines to protect livestock from the worst effects of Bluetongue are available and farmers are encouraged to consult their vet on whether they are appropriate for their herds and flocks. To ensure Welsh farm businesses are well-informed about this disease, Farming Connect will be hosting a webinar on Monday June 30 at 7:30pm. To register, contact the Farming Connect Service Centre, or CLICK HERE.
North Wales Live
13-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Hard border between Wales and England to halt deadly disease could be 'costly and futile'
Livestock farmers in Wales face hard border arrangements with England in what some believe is a futile attempt to halt the advance of a deadly disease. The industry fears being crippled by the need to test and licence vast numbers of sheep and cattle when they cross the border into England. Unlike England, Wales is still free of bluetongue, a viral disease that cause ulcers around the animal's mouth and face. In the Netherlands, tens of thousands of sheep have died and British farmers fear worse could happen in the UK. In an attempt to contain the virus' spread, an England-wide restricted zone (RZ) is to be imposed from July 1. In practice this means existing movement controls will be eased with farmer encouraged to use new bluetongue vaccines instead. The Welsh Government is reluctant to follow suit, fearing a freedom-of-movement regime will hasten bluetongue's spread into the country. Instead, Cardiff wants to keep the virus at bay 'for as long as we can' and so has opted not to apply an RZ in the county. But the Welsh farming sector has warned the implications could be 'catastrophic' for cross-border trade. Some 550 cross-border agri businesses and straddle the Wales-England border and each year tens of thousands of animals are shipped out to livestock markets. It also has major implications for July's Royal Welsh Show, Europe's largest agri showcase and the biggest annual event in Wales. Livestock exhibitors from England and Scotland will now be unable to attend, slashing the cattle entry by 40%. Refunds are being processed. Urging Cardiff to align Wales with England, the industry has branded the looming arrangements as both 'a futile endeavour and wholly impractical'. FUW president Ian Rickman said farmers' first instincts were to keep any disease out of Wales – but in this case the solution could be economically disastrous. Mr Rickman said midges carrying the disease are likely to blow into Wales regardless of England's RZ. He said the insects 'do not respect any such boundaries' and the RZ will hasten the spread of bluetongue to Wales anyway. 'The on-farm practicalities involved with adhering to this policy position brings with it a wealth of barriers and complications,' he said. 'The mechanics of issuing licences in a timely manner, arranging and conducting pre-movement sampling and testing, co-ordinating haulage and the extortionate costs and disruption to cross-border holdings and trade – it is feared that the decision to hold back the tide will be entirely unattainable and impractical.' While Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) poses a serious threat to cattle, sheep, goats deer and alpacas across the UK, it does not affect humans or compromise food safety. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said he had agonised over the decision. On balance, it was the lesser of two evils, he said, adding: 'I cannot in all conscience invite Bluetongue into Wales on 1st July through aligning with the RZ in England. 'I am unwilling to risk the uncertain impact of the disease in livestock dense areas like the Welsh borders. I am also extremely concerned about the economic and farmer wellbeing impacts of dealing with sick animals, and the livestock productivity and fertility losses associated with severe Bluetongue, as observed in many affected European countries.' By setting up border arrangements, it's hoped this will buy time for Welsh farmers to vaccinate their animals against the disease. If Bluetongue does arrive in Wales anyway, disease controls will be implemented. Being a fast-changing situation, Mr Irranca-Davies pledged to 'adapt to the evolving disease situation'. NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said Welsh farmers were 'extremely worried' about the disease - but also about the containment and testing strategy. He said: 'We have significant concerns about the lack of resources and testing capacity within the laboratories and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) given the significant amount of stock that move across the border from England to Wales for management, welfare and trading purposes. 'We understand that going forward the costs of testing will be borne by the farmer, which will cause a huge increase to the cost of trading. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'We are about to enter an extremely important time of the year in the farming calendar, with many farmers looking to trade breeding stock and store stock ahead of the autumn and winter months. 'For many herds and flocks, the opportunity to trade breeding stock, both those looking to purchase or sell stock, only comes once a year and this trade is critical. Welsh Government must ensure that a sustainable solution is found as soon as possible.'
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Hard border between Wales and England to halt deadly disease could be 'costly and futile'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Livestock farmers in Wales face hard border arrangements with England in what some believe is a futile attempt to halt the advance of a deadly disease. The industry fears being crippled by the need to test and licence vast numbers of sheep and cattle when they cross the border into England. Unlike England, Wales is still free of bluetongue, a viral disease that cause ulcers around the animal's mouth and face. In the Netherlands, tens of thousands of sheep have died and British farmers fear worse could happen in the UK. In an attempt to contain the virus' spread, an England-wide restricted zone (RZ) is to be imposed from July 1. In practice this means existing movement controls will be eased with farmer encouraged to use new bluetongue vaccines instead. The Welsh Government is reluctant to follow suit, fearing a freedom-of-movement regime will hasten bluetongue's spread into the country. Instead, Cardiff wants to keep the virus at bay 'for as long as we can' and so has opted not to apply an RZ in the county. But the Welsh farming sector has warned the implications could be 'catastrophic' for cross-border trade. Some 550 cross-border agri businesses and straddle the Wales-England border and each year tens of thousands of animals are shipped out to livestock markets. It also has major implications for July's Royal Welsh Show, Europe's largest agri showcase and the biggest annual event in Wales. Livestock exhibitors from England and Scotland will now be unable to attend, slashing the cattle entry by 40%. Refunds are being processed. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Urging Cardiff to align Wales with England, the industry has branded the looming arrangements as both 'a futile endeavour and wholly impractical'. FUW president Ian Rickman said farmers' first instincts were to keep any disease out of Wales – but in this case the solution could be economically disastrous. Mr Rickman said midges carrying the disease are likely to blow into Wales regardless of England's RZ. He said the insects 'do not respect any such boundaries' and the RZ will hasten the spread of bluetongue to Wales anyway. 'The on-farm practicalities involved with adhering to this policy position brings with it a wealth of barriers and complications,' he said. 'The mechanics of issuing licences in a timely manner, arranging and conducting pre-movement sampling and testing, co-ordinating haulage and the extortionate costs and disruption to cross-border holdings and trade – it is feared that the decision to hold back the tide will be entirely unattainable and impractical.' While Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) poses a serious threat to cattle, sheep, goats deer and alpacas across the UK, it does not affect humans or compromise food safety. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said he had agonised over the decision. On balance, it was the lesser of two evils, he said, adding: 'I cannot in all conscience invite Bluetongue into Wales on 1st July through aligning with the RZ in England. 'I am unwilling to risk the uncertain impact of the disease in livestock dense areas like the Welsh borders. I am also extremely concerned about the economic and farmer wellbeing impacts of dealing with sick animals, and the livestock productivity and fertility losses associated with severe Bluetongue, as observed in many affected European countries.' (Image: Fourrure/Wiki) By setting up border arrangements, it's hoped this will buy time for Welsh farmers to vaccinate their animals against the disease. If Bluetongue does arrive in Wales anyway, disease controls will be implemented. Being a fast-changing situation, Mr Irranca-Davies pledged to 'adapt to the evolving disease situation'. NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said Welsh farmers were 'extremely worried' about the disease - but also about the containment and testing strategy. He said: 'We have significant concerns about the lack of resources and testing capacity within the laboratories and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) given the significant amount of stock that move across the border from England to Wales for management, welfare and trading purposes. 'We understand that going forward the costs of testing will be borne by the farmer, which will cause a huge increase to the cost of trading. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'We are about to enter an extremely important time of the year in the farming calendar, with many farmers looking to trade breeding stock and store stock ahead of the autumn and winter months. 'For many herds and flocks, the opportunity to trade breeding stock, both those looking to purchase or sell stock, only comes once a year and this trade is critical. Welsh Government must ensure that a sustainable solution is found as soon as possible.' Find out what's happening near you
