We’ve been sent the following press release that’s from the White Hart Lane dental surgery in Hockley:
Hockley Dental Practice Loses half of NHS Funding To A Practice That Hasn?t Even Been Built
White Hart Dental Care in Hockley, Essex is to lose part of its NHS funding in March 2010. Dr Luke Schnel was given an additional temporary NHS contract in June 2008, which allowed him to employ an additional 2 NHS dentists (Dr Beverley Scott and Dr Abdul Salim-Said) at his modern practice. They have since treated over 2,000 new NHS patients, significantly improving access to NHS dentistry in the area. .
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But to Dr Schnel?s surprise, the permanent contract has been awarded to a practice that has not yet been built in Hockley, threatening to jeopardise access to NHS dentistry in the area. Fortunately, Dr Schnel still has substantial NHS funding to continue to treat his original patients, but his associates will not be able to see any patients under the NHS.
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Dr Schnel said ?We have done our best for these 2,000 new NHS patients and they have been very happy with the care and service they received at White Hart Dental Care. Most patients find it difficult to attend a dentist, but once they have established a trusting relationship , they gain confidence and are usually much happier to attend. As a result, the majority would prefer not to have to change dentists at all.?
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All patients who have been at the practice for longer than 20 months, or who have seen Dr Schnel or Dr Anklert will still be able to have NHS treatment at White Hart, as there is still funding for them. But all other new patients will be offered a new affordable dental plan to save them having to switch dentists. Dr Schnel explains: ?This was unexpected news for us at White Hart Dental Care and we have done our best to offer patients an affordable dental plan, with treatment fees similar to the NHS, to enable them to continue receiving the dental treatment that they have come to expect at our practice and with the dentist of their choice. The plan also gives discounts for families and worldwide emergency insurance.?
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Patients who have any concerns are requested to contact the practice, who will do their best to help.
Presumably the NHS have their reasons , but any background or comment on this from Hockley readers would be welcome!
The reason for the change is supposed to be improved services but these have not been specified. Other changes to “children only” NHS services at the two other dentists in Hockley are also being planned, meaning thousands of people may have to change dentists. There is also a suggestion that some capacity may be cut meaning children may have to travel to see a NHS dentists.
The Hockley Residents Association is meeting the PCT tomorrow to discuss these changes. Hockley already has one of the lowest NHS dental allocations in the area and we are very concerned at any potential reduction.
This surgery also services Hawkwell. Any update Brian from your meeting today, 17/2?
I’ve sent ‘admin’ an update which I hope will be published separately but it looks as if some Hockley & Hawkwell patients will have to travel to Rayleigh for a while!