Thousands of Dental Patients Forced to Find a New Dentist After NHS Provider Goes Private
Around 5,000 dental patients will be forced to find a new dentist after a practice on the outskirts of Cardiff decided to end its NHS contract.
Representatives from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board confirmed that Rhiwbina Dental Practice will no longer treat NHS patients after deciding to end its contract at the end of the financial year in April. As of the beginning of April, the practice will accept private patients only.
A spokesperson from the health board stated that the board received written notice from the practice to inform them of the decision to end their NHS contract on March 31st. The board will now contact patients to inform them of the change in circumstances and the process of finding a new NHS provider in the local area will begin in the coming weeks.
Julie Morgan, Welsh Assembly member for North Cardiff, said that she was concerned about the future of NHS dental provision in Rhiwbina following the announcement, as there is currently no other NHS provider in the town. Although Rhiwbina is one of the more affluent parts of the city, many people will not be able to afford private care and the board must work hard to ensure that everyone has access to affordable NHS treatment.
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