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Mixed messages over NHS dentists
RESIDENTS in Swindon claim there are not enough NHS dentists in the town, despite a report by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) which shows the service is not being used to its full capacity.
A survey carried out by Swindon LINk (Local Involvement Network) in August to find out the experiences and perceptions of dentistry services in the town showed that nearly 50 per cent of respondents felt there were not enough NHS dentists in Swindon.
Twelve per cent of those surveyed said they had problems accessing an NHS dentist over the past year, however a report carried out by NHS Swindon in July said that residents are not taking up places at dentists.
Paul Clarke, assistant director of primary care commissioning, said: “There is sufficient NHS dentistry capacity within Swindon. However, access to the service by patients is not being taken up.
“Swindon PCT does not currently have a waiting list for NHS dentists.”
The PCT holds 24 contracts for the provision of NHS dental services, two new NHS dental practices have been opened in the last year, and a third will open this financial year.
Wiltshire patients face longer wait for surgery (From Wiltshire Times)
People waiting for routine operations will wait longer as NHS Wiltshire tightens the purse strings.
The Primary Care Trust has written to GPs telling them that new patients coming on to the waiting list will not meet its 13-week target but instead will be treated within 18 weeks from referral, which is the national target.
Jeff James, chief executive of NHS Wiltshire, said the action had been taken to stop the PCT overspending this financial year and also to ensure there was capacity at hospitals for emergency operations that arise during the winter.
He said the average waiting time for routine operations will be extended by three to four weeks.
He said: “We are not saying there’s a ban. If patients need treatment and need it urgently they are to be referred to hospital.
“Waiting lists are comparatively short. You could say we have been a victim of our own success, we have shortened waiting times significantly for patients in Wiltshire in the last two years.
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