NHS tells Lymington dental patients not to worry
NHS Hampshire has told dental patients that have tried and failed to register with a new clinic in Lymington not to panic.
Several patients complained as they were unable to register for NHS dental treatment at the new surgery but the NHS claims there is no cause for concern.
One patient said she had been repeatedly frustrated by failing to get through to the surgery via phone, after attempts to register via the internet had failed, but has not given up hope.
A NHS spokesman claimed that patients shouldn’t panic as there are 5,500 places available at the clinic and only 1,900 patients have registered since the start of November.
Julia Bagshaw, associate director for primary care commissioning at NHS Hampshire, said that people who weren’t in any pain should leave registration for a couple of months as places would still be available.
She added that the NHS understood patients’ registration frustrations and added that improvements were being made to the phone helpline.
To register call the Dental Helpline on 0845 050 8345, at local rates, or visit www.hampshiredentalhelpline.nhs.uk.
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i would like to be able to register myself my husband and my mother with the new NHS dentist called smiles in lymington please could you arrange relevant registration papers required thank you
The reg.for the Lymington NHS dentist is an absolute disgrace, each wednesday at 8.30am on the dot we tried to reg one on the internet & other on the phone. Eventually at 9.15am got through only to be told yet again list was full for this week & to try again next week.I cant understand why they cant have a proper waiting list& stop all the frustration & upset they are causing people.
My wife and I need to register BUT my wife cannot attend surgery (100% disabled) are you able to do domicillary visits?
Residence is Clovelly East End SO41 5SS.
Several months ago, as the result of seeing a notice in The Lymington Times, I contacted the Dental Helpline seeking to register my wife and myself with a new NHS dental practice that was reported to be opening in Lymington. I was informed that a further press announcement would be made in due course. Eventually I was successful in registering my wife and I on line.
After several weeks during which I had heard nothing, I telephoned the Dental helpline for a sitrep on progress. I was informed that, on that very morning, our details had been sent to the new practice in Lymington from whomm I would hear shortly, As we continue to await contact from the practice, will you please confirm that our application continues to be dealt with and, if possible, indicate when we may expect a positive response.
Kind regards,
M.D. and K.M. Walker.
THis is a good step forward for the people in Lyington & new milton who can not get to see a dentist as we are told that we are full and not taking new clients
I agree with Roy Fielding. I got through at 8.46am one Wednesday morning only to be told that all slots had been filled. How can this be. Only releasing 100 slots at a time is ridiculous and this is regardless of whether you are applying online or by phone. Disgraceful.
Dear Sir /Madam.
In wishing the whole of the Dental Helpline team the best of good fortune for 2010 may I, in the nicest possible way of course, ask what progress has been, or is, being made with our application to join the newly commisioned NHS dental practice at Lymington ?.
Application was made “on line” on 4th November 2009. After several weeks, during which I had heard nothing, I telephoned the dental helpline to ascertain what was happening. I was informed that co-incidentally the details of my wife and I were being sent to the Smiles practice at Lymington that very morning and from whom I should be hearing very shortly.
As several more weeks have now elapsed during which I have heard nothing I wonder if perhaps you could give me an update.
Kind regards,
We have been trying to register with the Lymington Branch of Smiles with no success- when we have managed to get through on the phone we are always told the this week is full – try later.
A friend managed to register on the internet but we cant access any website where registrations are accepted
Where do we go from here?
treatment is urgently needed, would hope to hear ASAP. Thank you.
I would like to register with this practice please. Could you please end me, email me the relevant forms?
Bryan Hagon
I would like register with your dental practice, i have a bridge that has became loose and it needs to be fixed back in, im worried every day it is going to fall out, it is next to my front teeth so therefor it cause me a lot of stress. Look forward to hearing from you.
Since moving to this area I have come to the conclusion that dentistry services are in a state of chaos. I tried to register with ADP in Romsey. I couldn’t get through on the telephone despite ringing repeatedly. What do they do – just let it ring in their ears? I then finally went by foot to register with Smiles in Lymington. I found the attention a bit offhand and was told that my registration would be effective in a ‘few weeks’ and could then make an appointment. ‘A few weeks have passed with no communication from them, so I have over the last few days been ringing to get an appointment. No response. It is really quite appalling.