GrobyOnline - Nhs review hits Groby dental service

Problems finding an NHS dentist?

The Leicester Mercury periodically takes a look at the availability of NHS dentistry in the County, and recently published the latest results. New data has revealed it is still just as difficult to register at an NHS dentist in Leicestershire as it was six months ago. Nearly three quarters of all dentists across Leicestershire are not taking on any new NHS patients, and many of those that are say they are only accept patients when availability allows. However, they may have years-long waiting lists.

A spokesperson for NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) said that dental practices are responsible for ensuring that their information is updated on the NHS’s Find a Dentist website. If the information has not been regularly updated by practices, it may not be a true reflection of available NHS registration and other services. They advise patients to check directly with dental practices.

"For emergency treatment, there are five dental practices across LLR, which hold protected time daily to see urgent dental cases,” the spokesperson told the Mercury. “If a patient has an emergency dental need, they should contact NHS 111, either online or on the telephone. They will be assessed and, if necessary, referred on to one of these practices, which are open from 8am -8pm, 365 days per year.”

If you have had no success in accessing NHS dentistry it might be worth trying one of the following 5 practices that the Mercury found within 5 miles of Groby that say they are accepting children and adults as NHS patients, including those entitled to free dental care. But remember the caveat “when availability allows” may apply.

Total Dental Care - 0116 2872431 289 Aikman Avenue, Leicester, LE3 9PW

Home Farm Dental Practice - 0116 23404992 Old Barn Walk, Leicester, LE4 0RX
Beaumont House Dental Practice – 01162365133 Unit 15 Barshaw Park, Beaumont Leys, LE4 1ET
Smile Care Dental Practice - 0116266142272 Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester, LE4 2BA
Blackbird Road Dental Practice - 0116262506529 Blackbird Road, Leicester, LE4 0AJ

If you want more information about individual practices the Care Quality Commission (www.cqc.org.uk) conducts inspections to assess the quality of care provided by dental practices. They inspect about 10% of registered practices annually.

NHS review hits Groby dental service

Feb 2012 NHS Leicester City, NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced providers to provide a Dental Service in the Groby areae. The service to be delivered is restricted to within a four mile radius of Groby. The contract will be for a period of five years with the option to extend (plus five) with a maximum total contract value of £30 000 per annum.

NHS dental treatment for around 500 children in Groby had been withdrawn by the Primary Care Trust(PCT) following the termination of the contract between the Trust and a local dentist. This left both the practice at which the dentist was based and parents with uncertainty about the future of NHS treatment for children in the village.

Read how this came about in the September 2011 report...

NHS dental treatment for around 500 children in Groby has been withdrawn by the Primary Care Trust(PCT) following the termination of the contract between the Trust and a local dentist. This has left both the practice at which the dentist was based and parents with uncertainty about the future of NHS treatment for children in the village. The only dental surgery in Groby is at Crofton House on Ratby Road. The Principal, Mrs Lesley Trivett, has told Groby Parish Council this month of her concerns about this situation and her hope that the position can be clarified and satisfactorily resolved as quickly as possible. The Council agreed to write to the Primary Care Trust about dentistry services in Groby.

The PCT explanation

“A contract to deliver NHS dental services to children only was previously delivered from Crofton House Dental Practice in Groby. This contract was held by an individual contract holder and not by the practice, so when she resigned this meant the contract terminated,” explained a spokesperson for the PCT. “Patients who were treated under this contract were sent letters at the end of June by NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland to advise them that from July 2011 NHS dental services for children would no longer be available at the practice. They were also advised of their options for accessing NHS treatment.”

But the only options were help finding an alternative dentist and out of hours emergency dental care, as there is no alternative dental surgery in Groby. In practice this means that the parents of young people in Groby who wish them to have NHS treatment are faced with sending them to surgeries in nearby villages such as Anstey and Glenfield, neither of which have direct bus links.

NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland is currently conducting a review of NHS dental services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, looking at the current demand, as well as provision and ways in which access can be increased. “Options for reinvesting or investing further in dental services are currently at the consultation stage and once this is completed the outcome will be made available to all NHS dental providers across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland,” explained Liz Thomas, Media Relations Officer. “With regards to Groby, any re-provision of services or further investment will be offered through a procurement process. An individual contract holder at Crofton House Dental Practice would be able to apply for this along with any other interested providers.”

Concern about the delay

At Crofton House Lesley Trivett has no problem with participating in a procurement process but is saddened by the delay, uncertainty and anxiety to her young patients and their parents. At the moment there seems to be no rush of practitioners queuing up to open up a second dental surgery in Groby, although one newly qualified dentist did look at the possibilities a few years ago.

Most people appreciate the long term relationship they establish with their dentists and doctors for both themselves and their children. “Patients are reluctant to change dentists and practices as familiarity of surroundings and care for such an intimate part of ones body is really important to keep any anxiety of dentistry at bay,” explained Mrs Trivett. “I will do everything that I can to return the contract to the practice for the benefit of the patients of Groby and surrounding area, and would welcome any support to lobby the PCT. There has been an NHS provision for 28 years for children and this should continue due to the need, as we are able to treat more people on the NHS if it were funded. We have a new Associate, Dr Avani Patel, who is looking forward to helping provide these services."

Anyone with any questions as to whether this affects their children or who wants more information, or advice on how to contact the PCT should get in touch with the practice.

Did the survey look at dentistry?

An update October 2011

In September 2011 we reported on the threat to NHS dental services in Groby for children following the termination of the contract when an Associate at Crofton House surgery left the practice. This month we report the good news that Groby is in the Top 20 places to raise a family. The irony hasn't been lost on local dentist Mrs Lesley Trivett who is trying to get the Primary Care Trust to renew the contract.

“I feel that it is rather ironic that Groby has been voted one of the best places in the country for families but the PCT can't provide children's dentistry,” she said. “If the general public want to have this facility then we need their support and for people to voice this. There are over 2500 children in the area and although we don't treat all of them we are here to treat as many as would like to come to us. We can also provide some adult care within the scope of our surgery facilities.”

Mrs Trivett appreciates the level of support she has received within the village and the letters residents have written to the Trust. She also reports that she has met with local MP Stephen Dorrell and is awaiting feedback from him on any response he has received from the Primary Care Trust. If you want to know how you can lend your support contact the surgery.