MP campaigns to stop Sheffield dental practice closing

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh has warned the closure of Jordanthorpe Dental Centre would leave many local residents without access to NHS dental care.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust has warned patients who are registered at the centre of the planned closure.

Those who currently receive general care have been advised to find alternative NHS provision and special care patients are being directed to specialist hubs.

Ms Haigh says the distance from Jordanthorpe to the nearest hub at Manor is a severe challenge for those who have limited mobility and who rely on public transport.

General patients do not have an option to move to another local NHS dentist because there are none within the area.

Ms Haigh has written to the NHS Trust asking it to reconsider.

She said: “Everyone should be able to access good quality, affordable dental services.

“People need to have a local NHS dental practice that is convenient for them and has appointments available.

“Jordanthorpe Dental Centre provides a really important service that local people rely on and are happy with. If it is closed, patients who are registered there will struggle to find a replacement.

“For the sake of people’s health and wellbeing, the Centre needs to remain open.”

It comes in the same week that councillors discuss a report by Healthwatch Sheffield which found some patients were told waiting lists for an NHS appointment were 18 to 24 months long.

The watchdog said: “People told us their local dental practice was unable to see them as an NHS patient at all, but said they could pay for private care and be seen more quickly.

“The number of people telling us about this has increased significantly since November and people who cannot afford to pay for private care tell us they’re very concerned about this disparity.

“Access to NHS versus private dental care could have an ongoing impact on existing health inequalities.”

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