Patient Fears Grow Over Plans to Close Uist Island Dental Surgeries
Dental patients living in the Uist islands are growing increasingly concerned by plans to close separate surgeries and merge dental services.
Under the new proposals, NHS Western Isles plans to close surgeries in Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy and Liniclate and create a new service at Uist and Barra Hospital, which is located on Benbecula.
Ronald Mackinnon, a local councillor, said that the plans were “unacceptable” because they would leave some patients with a 70 mile round-trip to see a dentist.
NHS Western Isles has confirmed that patients will be consulted before any decisions are made, but insisted that there were clear advantages to relocating the service. In a statement released by the health board, representatives claimed that the move would contribute to modernisation of the service and help the recruitment process, as the dental posts would not be so isolated. The move would also reduce running costs and provide better opportunities for training for members of staff. Centralising the service would also enable patients to access dental services at a modern, functional and well-equipped facility.
There are financial concerns over the future of the separate surgeries, as they require renovation and modernisation to bring them up to required standards. The clinic in Lochboisdale is a particular concern because it needs a lot of work, which could prove costly.
Join this Discussion