NHS England offers reassurances over the future of dental services in Ravensthorpe
Representatives from NHS England have offered reassurances over the future of dental services in Ravensthorpe. The news comes after it was confirmed that the town’s only practice would close at the beginning of July.
MP for Dewsbury, Paula Sheriff, recently took the issue to the House of Commons, as more and more people in the area are struggling to see an NHS dentist. The practice has closed as planned, but Ms Sheriff said that the local commissioning lead had pledged to ensure that NHS dental care is available for patients based in Ravensthorpe. The region already has a shortage of dentists and dental places, and the latest closure provoked anger among local MPs and councillors and residents.
Following a campaign to save the town’s NHS dental services, the commissioning board has now confirmed that a new service will be made available. Originally, there was talk of splitting the contract held by Ravensthorpe Dental Surgery between existing providers.
Ms Sheriff said that she was delighted with the decision to maintain NHS services in Ravensthorpe and proud of the joint effort made by councillors, MPs and dental patients to get the desired result.
Ms Sheriff recently addressed the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, raising the issue of “dire access” to NHS dentistry in her constituency. Theresa May responded by saying that she would request that the case be addressed directly by the Department for Health and Social Care.
Currently, many patients based in the North Kirklees area are having to travel a significant distance to see an NHS dentist, and for most, this is not a viable option.
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