Lib Dem MP Lisa Smart has committed to hold the Government to account on a new NHS dental contract, after they confirmed an updated agreement would be in place for NHS dentists by 2029 at the latest.
After uncovering the failings of the current “golden hello” scheme, which has failed to deliver any new NHS dentists in Stockport, and missed its targets for Greater Manchester, the Lib Dem MP pushed for more concrete action in a letter to the new Minister James Frith, and received confirmation of an increase in exam capacity to get up to 2,000 more dentists a year.
MP Lisa Smart said: “It is extremely frustrating that the Government has spent two years tinkering around the edges of this problem. The new NHS dental contract needs to be sorted now.
“We are still seeing local dentists opt out of providing NHS services because it is simply not cost effective for them to provide them under the current contract. This has to change.”
The Minister also promised to expand routes for internationally qualified dentists to work in the UK, but failed to address the bureaucratic delays that have stopped dentists already here from transferring to a new practice for months at a time.
Lisa added: “When I’m hearing from local practices that they have interviewed dentists, who have accepted the job, but have to wait 16 or 17 weeks for clearance, then that’s simply pointless red tape, and it needs to be cut.”
Local Lib Dem MP Lisa Smart has written to Dental Minister Stephen Kinnock to challenge the Government’s failure to increase NHS dental provision after another local practice informed patients that they were cutting their provision.
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart has demanded action from the Government over “insurmountable” blocks on dentists wanting to work in the area, caused by their “Certificate of Sponsorship” Scheme.
Local MP Lisa Smart is carrying out a survey of local dentists to get their views on the best ways to improve people’s access to NHS services.