James Cunningham

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West Midlands MP’s Discusses NHS Dentistry with Ministers

Jim Cunningham MP, for Coventry South has discussed concerns over the retention of NHS dentists with Ministers and the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt.

Mr Cunningham said, “I have raised this issue with Ministers and am awaiting their response to the public concern over a lack of available NHS dentists. In Coventry South alone, five dentists have left the NHS for private practice. This leaves many people, especially the elderly in a predicament, where they now find themselves in a position of having to secure a new dentist.”

In respect to Government reforms of NHS dentistry, over time the reforms will help ensure that it is easier to find an NHS dentist.  New ways of working based on the NICE guidelines should enable a greater number of patients to be seen.

Under the current arrangements, if a dentist decides to leave the NHS, the money allocated leaves the local area and returns to Whitehall. From 1 April, if a dentist leaves the NHS, the Primary Care Trust in the area will keep the money and use it to commission NHS dental services from other contractors.

Mr. Cunningham said, “I have spoken to Ministers regarding the growing concerns of my constituents over NHS dentists, and they have assured me they will look into these concerns.”