Grays Dentist Disappointed After Missing Out On NHS Funding
Almost three thousand people in Grays could be forced to look for a new dentist after it was revealed that the Toothshine Dental Clinic has missed out on NHS funding in the future.
NHS South Essex has confirmed that the clinic narrowly missed its target for funding and the money has now been distributed to other clinics in the area. Carolyn Larsen, associate director of Primary Care Commissioning at the trust, said that NHS South Essex gave a number of one-off payments to practices in the area last year and practices interested in applying for continued funding were invited to do so; the applications were assessed by the trust and unfortunately Toothshine Dental Clinic’s application was turned down.
Vicki Edgar, the practice manager, said that everyone is very disappointed by the decision and they believe that it has been made based on targets, rather than patient care. She confirmed that the practice is currently in the process of contacting patients to inform them that NHS care will only be available until March 2013.
Vicki added that she feels very frustrated that the efforts of the staff have not been recognised and believes that the system should focus on patient care and welfare, rather than hitting NHS targets. She added that many patients feel comfortable with their current dentist at the clinic and having to change practices may turn them away from going to the dentist altogether.
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