Payment withheld

For those National Health Service dentists who underperformed by more than four per cent in the year to March 31, the months of August to October normally herald the arrival of the dreaded claw-back invoice. Dentists who underperformed by four per cent or less are often just managing to catch up by performing the carry over and getting on cumulative target for the current year. If behind target, some dentists will already be worried about a possible mid-year review in October.

However, many who normally expect to have to pay a claw-back invoice in the autumn may be taken by surprise this year. 

Rather than wait for the ratification of final figures to raise a claw-back invoice, PCTs under pressure to hunt for funds and savings have been withholding payment under contracts and making deductions from monthly payments instead. 

Such deductions can have a serious impact on the cash-flow of a practice, especially if unplanned.