WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has used a special debate in Parliament to raise concerns from constituents about the lack of appointments for NHS dentists in the town, after a local practice handed back its contract.
Hosting the adjournment debate earlier this week, Mr. Carter explained he’d heard from many local people looking to sign up to a dentist, however, the information available on NHS websites is incomplete and out of date.
Mr. Carter called on NHS England to rapidly improve information online and to focus their activities on recruiting more dentists to work in Warrington. NHS Dentists hold a contract to provide NHS services in a local area. The MP says he believes the outdated formula used to calculate payments is not fit for purpose and doesn’t reward activity like preventative steps, instead rewarding a ‘drill and fill’ approach, which professionals have argued against for years.
This debate was called following the decision by Appleton Park Dentist in Dudlows Green deciding to hand back their NHS contract, leaving more than 8,000 people living in Appleton without access to an NHS dentist. They will now have to look further afield for a practice, with no guarantee that they will be taken on. This has been the case for many practices across the country.
The MP has called for immediate changes to NHS contracts to incentivise dentists to take on more NHS patients and for the Government to ramp up skills and training in dentistry, introducing dental nurse practitioners who can provide an increased range of services to patients.
Commenting, Mr. Carter said: “I’m particularly concerned that only around 1/3rd of children in Warrington were seen by a dentist in the last 12 months. We’re storing up health problems for the future.
“Many families have been in touch to say they’re struggling to get dental treatment through the NHS. I was particularly concerned to hear about surgeries deciding to withdraw from providing all NHS provision in Appleton, even for children, so the debate in Parliament this week was an important opportunity to raise issues directly with the Minister responsible.
“One of the main criticisms I’ve heard from dentists across the constituency is that the current NHS contract to provide services needs to be replaced. The Minister has now confirmed, responding to my questions in the debate, that the Government is going to do this.
“The Minister also confirmed around £7m in additional funding is being allocated to the region to increase availability, with a new NHS dentist hub proposed for Warrington. Once this is confirmed I’ll share more details.”
Speaking at the Despatch box Minister Maria Caufield MP conceded that there is an issue with access to NHS dentistry, adding “it’s been significantly affected by the pandemic”.
She outlined short-term problems caused by the pandemic, as well as longer-term problems, and offered assurances that the Government is working to address both issues. Ms. Caulfield also said the Government is keen to expand dental training and is breaking down barriers to allow international dentists to practice in the UK.
