Tuesday
17
June
Concern is raised over a dental practice closure
18/06/2022 @ 12:09
Concerns have been raised about the closure of a dental practice in Newtown.
Patients at Clifton Dental Practice have received letters saying it will close on 30 June.
According to a letter it is due to the retirement of the practice owner Chris Himsworth. It's understood they were unable to find a new owner for the practice.
In a joint letter to the Labour Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member Jane Dodds and Newtown Central and South Councillors David Selby and Kelly Healy have asked if the Welsh Government has assessed the impact the closure of the practice is likely to have on Newtown and the surrounding areas as dental services struggle to deal with demand.
Commenting Jane Dodds MS said: “This latest closure comes as Mid Wales is already experiencing extortionate pressure on dental services, especially for NHS patients.
“With this in mind, I have asked the Health Minister to outline whether they have assessed the impact of the closure of Clifton Dental Practise on Newtown and the surrounding areas, and what efforts have been made by the Welsh Government to assist in ensuring the lost capacity will be replaced.
“We have heard horror stories of people in Mid Wales in the last few months being so desperate to get onto a practice list they have had to remove their own teeth, it is vital that Labour keep on top of this crisis.
“Separately I have also asked the Minister to outline how she envisions that new dental reforms will lead to an increased capacity of 5,000 new NHS dental patients. While this goal sounds terrific, it is not clear how it will be met, especially if we cannot even attract dentists to replace those retiring like with Clifton. There has also been no clear timescale outlined for achieving this target.”
Patients at Clifton Dental Practice have received letters saying it will close on 30 June.According to a letter it is due to the retirement of the practice owner Chris Himsworth. It's understood they were unable to find a new owner for the practice.
In a joint letter to the Labour Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member Jane Dodds and Newtown Central and South Councillors David Selby and Kelly Healy have asked if the Welsh Government has assessed the impact the closure of the practice is likely to have on Newtown and the surrounding areas as dental services struggle to deal with demand.
Commenting Jane Dodds MS said: “This latest closure comes as Mid Wales is already experiencing extortionate pressure on dental services, especially for NHS patients.
“With this in mind, I have asked the Health Minister to outline whether they have assessed the impact of the closure of Clifton Dental Practise on Newtown and the surrounding areas, and what efforts have been made by the Welsh Government to assist in ensuring the lost capacity will be replaced.
“We have heard horror stories of people in Mid Wales in the last few months being so desperate to get onto a practice list they have had to remove their own teeth, it is vital that Labour keep on top of this crisis.
“Separately I have also asked the Minister to outline how she envisions that new dental reforms will lead to an increased capacity of 5,000 new NHS dental patients. While this goal sounds terrific, it is not clear how it will be met, especially if we cannot even attract dentists to replace those retiring like with Clifton. There has also been no clear timescale outlined for achieving this target.”
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