NHS England provides cash injection to plug the gap left by loss of NHS dental services in Billingham
NHS England has revealed plans for two new dentists to start working in Billingham to plug the gap left by the cessation of NHS dental provision at the Queensway Clinic. The organisation has also promised to invest £1 million in the area to shorten waiting times and improve access to NHS services.
When the owners of Queensway Dental Clinic announced that they would stop providing NHS services, there was concern that thousands of patients would be left without access to NHS dental care. Local MP, Alex Cunningham, wrote to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to organise a meeting with NHS England, the British Dental Association and members of staff from Queensway to identify a solution. The practice had almost 12,000 patients when the news was announced.
Following the meeting, NHS England has announced a funding injection worth £1 million to secure temporary NHS dental services for Billingham residents. The move will eliminate the need for residents to pay for private care. NHS England has also confirmed plans to recruit two new dentists and new NHS contracts will be offered in due course.
All 12,000 Queensway patients will also be contacted with details of practices that are offering NHS places, including The Grange, Norton, mydentist in Stockton and Hardwick Dental Practice.
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