DENTISTS may be forced to work in the NHS after they qualify to stop them flocking straight to private practice.
The move is part of Rishi Sunak’s plans to get more people the appointments they desperately need.
GettyDentists may be forced to work in the NHS after they qualify in a new move from the PM[/caption]
The Mega AgencyChancellor Jeremy Hunt admitted ‘pay also matters’ when it comes to the NHS[/caption]
Up to two-thirds leave the health service after they have qualified despite taxpayer-funded help to train them, he claimed.
At the launch of his NHS workforce plan in Downing Street, the PM said: “It may be that the appropriate thing to do is to introduce a tie so that people are performing more NHS work after they qualify.
“Of course, they’ve benefited from a very significant subsidy from the taxpayer worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. And that seems a reasonable approach.”
A tie-in could mean they are required to do a number of hours for the NHS if they want to work privately.
The plan will also see the number of training places drastically hiked to get more people into the industry.
However, British Dental Association chairman Eddie Crouch said: “Ministers need to make the NHS a place young dentists would choose to work, not handcuff the next generation to a sinking ship.”
The PM slapped down a similar suggestion for doctors to be made to work in the NHS — as thousands flock to jobs in Australia..
Mr Sunak insisted there was no data to support claims that too many are fleeing the UK.
Last night, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admitted “pay also matters” when it comes to the NHS.
Doctors and consultants are expected to strike again over pay.