DT News - UK - Proposal to limit access to NHS Pension Scheme met with criticism

Dental Tribune UK

Mon. 6 May 2019

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LONDON, UK: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently announced plans to provide the Secretary of State with the power to suspend a healthcare professional’s NHS pension benefits in cases where a criminal charge has been brought but a conviction is yet to be made. In response, Dental Protection, part of the not-for-profit Medical Protection Society for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals, has raised its concerns, stating that such a move goes against principles of justice which assume that one is innocent until proven guilty.

The DHSC argued that this change would enable the department to start earlier with the lengthy process of removing pension rights. However, Dental Protection, as well as the British Dental Association, voiced concerns that a move to withhold such earned pensions would bring added and undue financial stress to dentists and other healthcare professionals.

In response, the DHSC said that the Secretary of State was legally required to reach a reasonable and rational decision after taking all the relevant facts into account. It stated that all representations would be considered, including those relating to financial hardship, before making a final decision. The DHSC confirmed that, having considered the almost 1,500 responses received from individuals and organisations, it would proceed to implement the proposed amendments.

“We are strongly opposed to the Department of Health and Social Care’s proposal,” said Dr Raj Rattan, MBE, Dental Director at Dental Protection.

“If this goes ahead, it is unfair that dentists facing unproven allegations could find that their pension rights are put at risk prior to any conviction being made,” he continued.

“Dentists are increasingly working under pressure and are understandably concerned about the possible consequences for them when things go wrong. Dentists may face action from their employer, reputational damage in the media and restrictions on their licence to practise. These new proposals will only add to the profession’s fear of unfair allegations. I hope the government reconsiders its position and takes the view of Dental Protection and others when continuing with the development of this review,” he concluded.

The DHSC’s proposal forms part of a consultation response regarding the NHS Pension Scheme’s regulations and can be found here.

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