NHS England to offer extra cash for dentists in Portsmouth amid struggle to fill vacancies
NHS England is willing to offer extra cash for dentists who are prepared to move to Portsmouth amid ongoing struggles to fill vacancies.
Dental access has been a cause for concern in the city after Colosseum Dental pulled the plug on its NHS contracts last year. The firm closed three surgeries unexpectedly, leaving thousands of Portsmouth patients without a dentist.
In the aftermath of the sudden closure, NHS worked with other providers in the city to bridge gaps, but the trust has admitted to finding it difficult to locate long-term replacements. As part of a move to make Portsmouth a more attractive proposition for NHS dentists, NHS England is offering more money and extended contracts.
Julie Booth, head of primary care for the South East, said that the biggest barrier to improving access in the city is a shortage of dentists, which is making it difficult to fill positions. There is currently a national shortage of dentists, and the NHS is struggling to recruit in many parts of the country.
The cost per unit of activity is currently set at £26, but in Portsmouth, the fee will increase to £28 to encourage dentists to relocate and practices to bid for long-term NHS contracts.
Residents and councillors have been worried about the lack of access to dental care in the city since Colosseum Dental closed, as two of the firm’s surgeries were located in deprived areas of the city. NHS England has insisted that everyone is working hard to find a solution, and in the meantime, temporary arrangements have been made with Perfect Smile and Bupa Dental Care.
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