Speke Dental Practice Could Close Following Rent Increase
The only dentist in Speke, one of Liverpool’s most deprived areas, may be forced to close, following a significant increase in the cost of rent.
Sean O’Hara has been working at the Speke Health Centre for the last year but may be forced to leave after Liverpool Primary Care Trust increased the rent by six times, from £11,000 to £64,000 per year.
Mr O’Hara, an NHS dentist who has been working in Speke for 21 years, said that he can no longer afford the rent. A spokeswoman for Liverpool Primary Care Trust said that the rent was being increased in line with the market value for the premises and added that Mr O’Hara had not taken on any new patients over the course of the last two years.
The spokeswoman also confirmed that a new provider would be found if Mr O’Hara’s practice was forced to close.
In an interview with the local press, Mr O’Hara said that the hike in rental fees would make it impossible for him to stay in business, which would be a great shame because he has grown very fond of his patients and enjoys working at the centre.
Liverpool PCT said that there was a responsibility to ensure that NHS providers offered good value for money and a spokesman confirmed that Mr O’Hara had been told that the rent would be reviewed after one year. He was initially paying low rent due to historical reasons, but was told that the fee would be increased further down the line
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