Norfolk dental practice closes permanently due to financial issues
A dental practice in Long Stratton, Norfolk, has closed permanently due to financial issues.
Manor House is now shut after treating the last patients on Friday 5th August. A recorded message on the clinic answerphone suggests that the practice, which was operated by Simply Smile Dental, has been placed into voluntary liquidation. Opus Insolvency Group will take charge of the proceedings. It is not yet clear whether other practices run by Simply Smile Dental will be affected. The chain also has clinics in Stalham and Dereham.
News of the closure will cause increased anxiety among local patients, many of whom have reported difficulties getting dental appointments in the last two years. The loss of another dental practice will exacerbate existing access issues, according to Long Stratton councillor, Alison Thomas. Ms Thomas described the situation as “pretty grim.”
A recent BBC investigation highlighted Norfolk as one of the worst areas for NHS dental access. It is one of a handful of areas, including Lancashire, Devon and other parts of the South West and North West regions where there were no practices taking on new adult NHS patients.
Chief executive of Norfolk Healthwatch, Alex Stewart, said that over half of complaints from patients are now linked to dental practices not accepting new NHS patients.
For more news click here.
Join this Discussion