Barry MP calls for more local NHS dental surgeries
Barry MP, Alun Cairns, has called for more NHS dental surgeries in the local area to improve access to dental services.
Mr Cairns is writing to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to highlight issues with access after spending time with the dental team at Waterfront Dental. Mr Cairns said that he was made aware of a situation where dental practices want to treat more NHS patients, but are unable to due to restrictions on funding and limits related to units of dental activity that are set out in the dental contract.
Mr Cairns said that Dr Price, from Waterfront Dental, was worried about patients missing out because NHS providers are stretched to their limits, and there’s not enough practices taking on NHS patients, as well as private ones.
The Barry MP believes that units of dental activity (UDA) should be distributed across providers in order to address problems with capacity, and enable more patients to access NHS care. A change in the system may mean that some practices can treat more NHS patients than they are currently permitted to and prevent a shortage across the town.
Mr Cairns has appealed for local residents who have views on the issues or experience of problems with accessing local NHS services to get in touch.
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