Mylor Dental Practice Closure Leaves Patients In The Lurch
A dental practice in Mylor, Cornwall has closed leaving thousands of patients in the lurch.
Honor Richardson, the NHS contract holder, gave notice to say that the practice would stop treating patients last Friday.
A spokesperson for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust said it is normal procedure for practices to give three months’ notice. However, in this case notice was given immediately as a result of personal and financial issues. The spokesperson said the practice was contracted to provide 4,000 patients with NHS dental care, although it failed to hit targets for the number of appointments offered.
Mrs Richardson is writing to patients to inform them about the closure of the Passage Hill dental practice and to encourage them to join the waiting list while the trust arranges a new contract.
The PCT is contacting other practices in the Truro and Falmouth areas to try and determine if extra places are available—although there are already 1,000 patients on the waiting list.
Bridget Sampson, heading dental commissioning for the new NHS Commissioning Board, said it is a great shame to lose another dental practice in an area which is already underserved. He stressed that the PCT will do everything possible to locate new places and find patients a new NHS dentist.
Patients who are looking for an NHS dentist are advised to call 01726 627990. Any patients in need of emergency dental treatment can call the Emergency Helpline on 01872 354375.
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