Therese welcomed the government’s ‘excellent plan’ for NHS dentistry ‘that is exactly what patients in Suffolk have been waiting to hear’ in a contribution in Parliament today.
She particularly welcomed the focus on rural areas – with the plan offering a significant incentive to dentists to deliver valuable NHS care as well as mobile dental vans to take dentists and surgeries to isolated under-served areas. The plan will deliver 2.5m additional appointments over the next 12 months.
Therese said: “When I was Health Secretary, I introduced the ABCD Plan for Patients focusing on Ambulances, Backlog, Care, Doctors & Dentists, so I’m delighted that focus has led to this detailed plan for dentistry, which has been announced today.”
“The lack of NHS dental provision has become an increasing issue here in East Suffolk and I have been constantly pressing on behalf of patients. Although interventions have been made focusing on interim solutions as well as the University of Suffolk dental development project, this plan will really transform dentistry, especially in rural Suffolk.”
“As well as the additional incentives, I also welcome the plan to potentially tie in graduates to the NHS and I pressed the Minister to look again at the NHS’ own rules that can restrict the rapid supply of dentists into the NHS. I was reassured that this would be happening and that crucially, this plan had been co-signed by the NHS.”
