Emergency patients to be given priority as health officials continue search for new dentist for Mid Argyll Hospital
Emergency patients will be given priority at Mid Argyll Hospital, as health officials continue the search for a new dentist. On Friday November 2nd, a senior dental officer retired, and the board is now looking for a locum dentist to take over and reduce mounting pressure on the remaining dentist.
A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership explained that priority would be given to patients who needed urgent care, as well as children and orthodontic patients and patients with underlying mental and physical conditions, as the search for both a locum dentist and a permanent dental officer continues. The spokesman stressed that this would be a temporary measure and apologised for any inconvenience it may cause to other patients who are waiting for an appointment.
The Scottish Government has provided funding for a new dental officer to join the hospital clinic on a permanent basis, and the Health and Social Care Partnership is currently advertising the post and hoping to attract candidates as soon as possible. In the meantime, it is hoped that a locum will join to ease the workload and prevent a backlog. A Scottish Dental Access Initiative Grant has also been awarded to provide an independent dentist to open a general dental surgery in the nearby town of Lochgilphead.
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