Portsmouth health bosses optimistic of finding a permanent dental provider by autumn 2020
Health bosses in Portsmouth are confident they will find a permanent dental provider by autumn 2020.
Thousands of patients in the city were left without an NHS dentist in the summer when Colosseum Dental decided to end its NHS contract prematurely. The chain had three clinics dotted across the city.
In the aftermath of the unexpected incident, NHS England set about trying to locate temporary services to provide local patients with access to NHS care while permanent contracts were finalised. Bupa Dental and Perfect Smile came forward to help, and the university is also planning to offer dental services. So far, around 20,000 people have relocated to other practices on a temporary basis, but pressure on existing services means that many patients are waiting for treatment and routine appointments.
Consultant in public health at Portsmouth Council, Claire Currie, explained that NHS England has been working hard to fill the gaps left by Colosseum Dental and attention has now turned to finding long-term providers.
The latest update is that NHS England is working on having permanent providers in place by September 2020.
According to the NHS website, there is currently only one practice in the whole of Portsmouth offering places for new NHS patients, but those who have been affected by the cessation of Colosseum Dental’s contracts are encouraged to contact Bupa Dental or Perfect Smile. Patients will be updated as NHS England makes progress in choosing a permanent provider.
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