Isle of Wight dental clinics pull out of new scheme to boost appointment numbers
Dental practices on the Isle of Wight have pulled out of a new national scheme to boost appointment numbers.
NHS dentists on the island have withdrawn from a programme designed to boost capacity because staff are “physically, mentally and emotionally drained.”
The practices had signed up to be part of the scheme, which increases funding to make more appointments available.
Practices were offered £400 to provide three additional hours of work but after taking up the offer, they have now pulled out.
Alison Cross, dental commissioning manager for NHS England in the South East, told the Isle of Wight Council that the clinics had withdrawn from the scheme because staff members are exhausted due to the pressures of the pandemic and dealing with growing waiting lists. The offer still stands for practices that may be able to offer additional appointments in the future.
One of the main issues for commissioners working with Island dentists is the recruitment of staff, with shortages contributing to long waiting lists and difficulty attracting dentists to the area.
Ms Cross explained that many dentists are not willing to either relocate to the island permanently or travel across the Solent regularly.
Reports suggest that many patients who cannot get an appointment on the Isle of Wight are travelling to the mainland to see a dentist. There is currently a review of services in the region underway, which will highlight gaps to improve services in the future. The assessment is due to be completed in early 2022.
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