Government funding changes will see hundreds of Torbay patients facing changes and reductions in dentistry services over the next few months.
From June 2010 funding to NHS dentists in Torbay will fall drastically as the government cut their funding to Quay Health Dental Practice in Paignton.
The cuts also affect 6 other practices in Torbay that were identified in 2008 to provide more services to reduce waiting lists.
Torbay Care Trust has agreed to extend the services at Quay Health until June even though Government funding will cease at the end of March this year. To replace the loss of these services, new practices are being opened in Paignton and Brixham but are not expected to start receiving patients until the end of 2010, leaving many with a substandard service and further to travel for many months.
Local residents have also raised concerns over the lack of information being given by dentists and local health bodies about the changes. Many have been left with the impression that they have no choice but to resort to private care whereas all patients will still be able to receive NHS treatment at alternative
Adrian commented, “While the extra investment two years ago was very welcome, NHS bureaucracy is now causing unnecessary disruption to patients. It is unacceptable to have this gap in care of several months while patients wait for new practices to open.
“Better planning would have ensured care at Quay Health would continue up until the new practice could open. It is also worth noting that all of this disorganisation goes completely against the Government’s stated aim of ensuring freedom of choice in the NHS.”
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