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NI CDS contract update: Department of Finance approval to pay arrears for 2015/16 and 2016/17 received; implementation phase begins

News

  Posted by: Dental Design      13th December 2018

BDA NI has received written confirmation from DoH Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly that Department of Finance approval is now in place to move forward on the implementation of the new CDS contract. This includes the pay arrears owing to the 2015/16 and 2016/17 awards relating to the new CDS contract. A remit is to be submitted by Department of Health for 2017/18.  This paves the way to move discussions to the implementation phase and adoption of the new terms & conditions.

In his letter, Richard Pengelly says that an Implementation Group will be established to finalise the terms and conditions of service, and to oversee the assimilation processes associated with the new contract. An implementation workshop has been scheduled for early January; however, it could take several more months before back payments are received.

Responding to developments, Grainne Quinn, Chair of BDA Northern Ireland Salaried Dentists Committee said:

“Considerable delay in implementation of the new contract has had a very real impact on morale within the community dental service, on top of the many other pressures being faced. However, we welcome confirmation that another significant hurdle has been cleared in the form of receiving DoF approval.

“As we enter the implementation phase, our priority will be in ensuring community dental colleagues receive all the backpay they are entitled to, and the new contract is fully implemented as quickly and smoothly as possible. Certainly, our aim is that this can all be completed before the end of the current financial year. Our hardworking, dedicated CDS colleagues deserve no less”.


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