NHS Bolton Confirms Investment in Dental Services
Bosses at NHS Bolton have confirmed that there will be an additional investment of £200,000 per year to improve access to dental services in the area.
The funding will allow existing dental practices to take on an extra 2,700 patients. News of the investment comes shortly after the local press revealed that thousands of people in and around Bolton are waiting to register with a practice; recently, The Bolton News ran a story suggesting that 5,000 people were on a waiting list for NHS dental care.
Earlier this year, the central waiting list was scrapped and patients were advised to contact their local dental practice to register or join a waiting list; NHS Bolton also paid around £50,000 for one-off dental appointments, but this system was unpopular with patients because they wanted to register with a practice with a view to attending appointments on a long-term basis.
The additional funding will be split between practices and they may use the money how they wish; NHS Bolton said that the cash will allow dentists to make long-term changes, including employing extra members of staff or extending opening hours, to allow them to see more patients.
Peter Moss, chairman of the Local Dental Committee, Bolton, said that the cash boost will enable dentists to expand their services, which will be of great benefit to local people.
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