BACKLASH AS 12,000 NHS PATIENTS TO LOSE DENTIST

MP CONDEMNS THE PRACTICE CLOSURES

AT least 12,000 NHS dental patients have been affected by a health care company’s decision to close two North Wales practices.

The move by Bupa to close dental surgeries by February in Colwyn Bay and Caernarfon took patients by surprise the week before last, as the company had not informed them.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board said there had been more than 8,000 NHS patients treated at the Colwyn Bay Bupa practice and just over 4,200 in Caernarfon in the past two years.

It said the numbers don’t reflect the number of people actually affected but was the most accurate figure, as you don’t need to register at a dental surgery for treatment.

If 8,000 NHS patients is an accurate figure, it would represent around two-thirds of those using Colwyn Bay Bupa’s surgery.

The company said it is “working with the NHS and other nearby practices to help patients transfer to a new dentist”, however the capacity for another 12,000 people is just not there at the moment.

Arfon Senedd Member Sian Gwenllian said the closure in Caernarfon “is symptomatic of long-term problems in dental care”.

“The news that Bupa’s dental practice on the Cibyn Industrial Estate will close is a huge disappointment. I have been contacted by a number of constituents expressing their concern, and unfortunately the news does not surprise me.”

She added: “I am particularly concerned, of course, about those who cannot afford private health services and who therefore rely solely on NHS services.

“Over-reliance on the private sector appears to have resulted in huge gaps in service provision when companies choose to close branches.”

Dr Chris Stockport, Betsi Cadwaladr’s executive director of primary and community care, said the board will be commissioning replacement dental services “as early as possible”. He said the board was also working on schemes to recruit and retain dental professionals

However, he added: “Because of the timescales required to undertake this work, there will be a short period of time during which access to NHS dental services in North West Wales will, unfortunately, be limited.”

The news highlights a problem across North Wales with the provision of dentistry, which needs more urgent attention.

Last Monday the British Dental Association (BDA) said some practices “simply can’t afford” an average of £10,000 needed for air purification equipment.

It is needed to guarantee Covid compliance with aerosol generating procedures – those which send particles of liquid into the air.