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| Dentistry |
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Terry Scriven is travelling to Brighton this weekend to raise concerns about dentistry in the New Forest at the Party’s conference.
Last year Terry raised the issue with the Chief Executive of the Hampshire NHS Primary Care Trust and was assured that things would get better. They haven’t.
The government promised to sort out the problem by introducing a new contract for dentists in April 2006 but it has failed to stop the decline in NHS dentistry.
One in twelve dentists have opted out of the NHS since the contract was introduced. In some NHS dental practises even though the dentist is NHS the Hygienist is Private that means at least £25.00 a session.
Little improvement has been seen across the Forest. It is estimated that 46% of New Forest residents who are registered with a GP just cannot get access to an NHS dentist. Even if they are registered the increased fees make it difficult for many to afford.
“I find this situation scandalous”, said Terry. “I intend to meet with Norman Lamb MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health, to discuss the difficulties we are experiencing and push for a total reform of the dental contract so as to encourage dentists to stay in the NHS. I will not stop this campaign until we achieve the improvement of provision we need in the Forest”. |
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