MP challenges impact of Department of Health “golden hello” programme for dentists

Local MP Lisa Smart has raised concerns that the Department of Health’s golden hello scheme may not be delivering for areas which have already lost their NHS dentists. 

In response to a written question from the MP, the minister said that “Dental practices in specific areas, determined locally as experiencing significant dental pressures due to workforce challenges impacting patient access, were invited by their ICBs [integrated care boards] to express interest in participating in the scheme.”

However, with many villages across Hazel Grove constituency having already lost NHS dentists, it remains unclear as to whether those areas would be included in the scheme. 

Lisa Smart, the MP for Hazel Grove constituency, said: “The figures are stark – too many people are forced to go to private dentists, or go without. I need to know that schemes to improve NHS coverage include areas which have already lost their NHS dentists. 

“If they don’t, it just makes the inequalities even more stark.”

The MP has written to the chief executive of the Greater Manchester ICB to drill down into the figures, find out which areas in the constituency have been targeted for help, and if areas without an NHS dentist were covered. 

The MP added: “It is really positive that there are schemes out there which are intended to improve the provision of dental care; I was campaigning on this when the Conservatives were in Government, and have continued to do so under Labour. 

“However, it is vital that these schemes deliver in practice, and that means careful checking. It’s my job to hold this Government to account – and this is a vital issue for people in our area.”