Anglesey dental surgery could close, as retiring dentist struggles to find replacement
The future of a dental surgery in Menai Bridge, Anglesey is hanging in the balance, as the owner, who is retiring, is struggling to find a replacement.
Henri Maerivoet has been forced to retire due to health reasons, and his Bridge Street practice will have to close if a suitable replacement cannot be found before the end of June. Mr Maerivoet said that he had taken the decision as a result of health reasons, and expressed “deep regret” at the prospect of the clinic closure. For more than two years, the popular dentist has been looking to recruit a dentist to take over the practice reins or a buyer who could guarantee continued NHS treatment, but it has been an impossible task. If nothing changes before the 30th June, the practice will have to close.
Mr Maerivoet has worked for the NHS for over 20 years and he thanked his patients for their “loyalty and appreciation”. He added that it had been a pleasure to get to know patients and to work as part of the NHS team for two decades.
Paul Howard, a patient at the practice, said that he was “appalled” by the news of the impending closure and accused the NHS of failing to help Mr Maerivoet find a replacement for the island’s surgery. If the practice does close, many patients in the area will be left without easy access to NHS dental care and those who can’t drive to the mainland will find it very difficult to get the treatment they need.
Anglesey MP, Albert Owen, said that he was raising the issue with the health board and stressed the need to keep as many services as possible on the island.
