Spalding pensioner dismayed by lack of access to NHS dental care
A pensioner from Spalding has spoken of his dismay after being unable to book an emergency dental appointment.
Thomas Edwards, known to his friends as ‘Taffy’, tried to get an appointment at Spalding’s Johnson Hospital, only to be informed that the service was “overwhelmed” and he would have to pay to see a private dentist if he wanted an appointment quickly.
Taffy, 79, said that he was unable to see an NHS dentist in Spalding, Long Sutton or Holbeach, yet he could have accessed the treatment he needed almost immediately if he was willing to pay private fees. He said that it made him angry that he couldn’t get the care he needed, having paid his taxes all these years, and added that his dental woes have contributed to significant health problems. He has lost weight and had to put up with a lot of pain.
Since he was informed that he couldn’t be treated at the hospital, Taffy has contacted the NHS’ emergency phone line, and he was able to see a dentist in Gedney Drove End, which is an hour round-trip from his home.
Mr Edwards suggested that there weren’t enough dentists in the area, especially as the local population is increasing year on year, and claimed that more needs to be done to ensure local people can access NHS dental treatment.
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