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NHS patients ‘being turned away’
16th Feb 2007
Three quarters of dentists are not taking on new NHS patients, according to a survey carried out by the Liberal Democrats. The poll of 1,013 dentists across England found that 72% were not accepting new patients due to local financial difficulties. Lib Dem health spokeswoman Sandra Gidley claimed the figures, which also showed that 45% of respondents were accepting private patients only, proved new contracts had failed to deliver. She said: ‘These shocking figures come less than a year after the botched new dental contract was introduced which promised to increase access to NHS dentistry for all. It is simply unacceptable that patients seeking NHS dentistry cannot access it. ‘This is indicative of Labour's failure to restore the NHS to what it should be: a universal, comprehensive service that provides ongoing healthcare to everyone who needs it. ‘There is worrying evidence that Government reforms have led to dentists running out of money to treat NHS patients before the end of the financial year. The NHS trusts who are deep in deficit simply cannot afford to bail dentists out of this latest Government-created problem. Their hands are tied. The impact will be felt by everyone who wants to use an NHS dentist.’ Lester Ellman, of the British Dental Association, said: ‘Dentists have been put in an impossible position. Many who want to take on NHS patients are not allowed to because the local primary care trusts haven’t got the money.’ But the Department of Health said the survey was ‘small and selective’, adding: ‘NHS dentistry is expanding – primary care trusts are now commissioning more activity than was delivered last year.’ According to reports earlier this month, a number of primary care trusts have predicted a funding shortfall this year due to a less-than-expected level of income received from patient fees.
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