MP writes to Health Secretary with Chippenham dentist to stop NHS treatment
The Hathaway Dental Practice is to stop all NHS dental treatment amid what's being called a recruitment crisis and an issue over the dental contract system
Chippenham's new Lib Dem MP has written to the Health Secretary - over concerns that a local dental practice is to stop offering NHS treatment to all patients later in the year.
From November 1st, the Hathaway Dental Practice will no longer be offering the services on the National Health Service, citing the 'imminent departure' of four dentists - of whom, they haven't been able to replace with NHS practitioners.
In their letter to patients, they say that the private care which they will continue to offer will ensure they they are able to maintain their 'high standards', with bosses blaming 'increasing challenges' with providing NHS care.
This is a case that Sarah Gibson has since taken on - adding that she has 'received hundreds of emails, letters, and phone calls from patients devastated to lose out on NHS dentistry' - not just in Chippenham, but across the wider South West.
In a post on Facebook, Sarah Gibson went on to add: "I have contacted the Director of the practice and the situation the practice finds itself in is not uncommon.
"Dental practices up and down the country are ceasing to provide services to NHS patients. The most difficult challenge relates to the NHS dental contract system and funding.
"Following this urgent meeting with the practice, I spoke with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and am due to meet with them next week to see what can be done to keep Hathaway Dental Practice open to NHS patients.
"I took the decision to escalate this issue directly to the Secretary of State for Health, Mr. Wes Streeting. I went into detail at a joint meeting with other MP’s about the ‘dentistry desert’ that plagues us in the South West.
"He assured me that his team was reviewing the dental contract. After that briefing, I wrote to him personally and asked for his personal intervention to try to keep Hathaway Practice open to NHS patients. As soon as I have a response, I will share it with all concerned.
"I am doing all I can to see if we can keep NHS provision open at Hathaway. I will do my best to keep you updated. Rest assured: this is an absolute priority for me."
'Lack of dental provision is a real problem'
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Sarah Gibson told us: "All the way through the Liberal Democrats campaign, we were very aware that the lack of dental provision in this part of Wiltshire is a real problem.
"We actually checked practices across the region - and no practice was taking on NHS patients.
"When I chatted with the Hathaway team, one of the issues raised was the dental contracts, which have been going since 2006 - which I took the opportunity to speak to the new Health Minister and Chris Whitty about, and how we should deal with it.
"Wes Streeting told me that Labour are 'very aware' of the fact that the dental contracts should have been revised some time ago.
"I've also met with the Integrated Care Board to see what they were doing - they look after local NHS contracts.
"I would have liked them to have started these conversations a little earlier - that might have saved us from where we are - but what they have assured me is that they are looking into what they can do within the current contract to try and make sure that they are able to offer a slightly better deal to other practices to be able to provide a service to current NHS patients.
"They have also been able to come to an arrangement with the Hathaway Practice that they can offer orthodontic services to children - which was another major concern.
"There are kids who are part way through their dental treatment - and so that was really reassuring to hear that they are on it, and they are working to try and find a solution to all of this.
"Personally, I shall keep pushing with the Department of Health and with Wes Streeting to work not just for a short-term solution, but a long-term one as well.
"This was one of my election promises, so I feel like I'm really on the front foot with this."
In the letter to Wes Streeting, Chippenham's MP said: "Access to adequate dental care is an essential part of a functioning health service - particularly one with a view to focus on a preventative approach.
"I am deeply concerned that several practices in Chippenham have ceased to accept NHS patients in the last few years - this trend shows no sign of stopping with Chippenham's Hathaway Dental Practice confirming they too will stop offering care on the NHS from November this year. Having spoken to the decision makers at these practices, it is clear that several issues are at play.
"There is a major recruitment issue because too many dentists feel that in order to meet NHS service levels, they have no choice but to sacrifice their own unsalaried time. The recruitment of NHS dentists is particularly in rural areas like mine.
"I was pleased that the Minister for Care is investigating what can be done to address this; I look forward to updates in this regard.
"This is a recruitment issue and is partly caused by issues around the whole dental contract system. I was pleased to learn that the Department for Health and Social Care will be reviewing the system and updating what was implemented in 2006.
"Review and reform is long overdue."
This all follows comments of there being a 'dental crisis' in the South West - and earlier this year, a dental practice in Bristol saw queues running down the road as it opened its doors to new patients.
Read more: Hundreds queue for hours to register at new NHS dentist in Bristol
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that so many people struggle to simply get a dental appointment. There are large parts of the country where NHS dentistry barely exists anymore.
“We will rebuild NHS dentistry, starting with an extra 700,000 emergency dentistry appointments. We will also reform the dental contract to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services to patients.
“Prevention is better than cure, so we will also introduce supervised tooth brushing for three to five-year-olds. These changes are fundamental to us building an NHS that is fit for the future.”
We have approached the dental practice for a comment.