On Tuesday afternoon, Isle of Wight Conservative MP Bob Seely, voted against an amendment that sought to improve NHS dentistry provision across the country (read Bob Seely’s response below).
The motion was taken to Parliament by Labour’s shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, and would have provided an additional 700,000 emergency appointments across the country, introduce a scheme to recruit new dentists to areas most in need as well as a supervised toothbrushing scheme for all 3 to 5-year-olds.
Mr Seely was one of 269 Conservative MPs who voted against the motion, which had seen support from Labour, LibDem, DUP, Independent and Green MPs.
Quigley: Dentists are pulling their hair out at the failure of government
Councillor Richard Quigley, the Chair of Island Labour, told News OnTheWight,
“There can’t be a single person on the Island that isn’t aware of the dire situation NHS dentistry is in here. I’ve spent time with Island dentists and they are pulling their hair out at the failure of government to remove the barriers to providing NHS dentistry.
“We are in the horrendous position of nearly 12million people across the country not being able to access an NHS dentist, with tooth related issues being one of the leading causes of children going to A&E. It will come as little surprise to anyone that Bob Seely has made a lot of noise about the issue, but when faced with the opportunity to do something about it, he puts, as I see it, his career before the needs of Islanders.
“Labour is committed to access to an NHS dentist for everyone that needs it, with 700,000 additional emergency appointments a year, incentives for NHS dentists to come here and a supervised teeth brushing scheme for all 3 to 5 year olds.
“I’ve written to Bob to ask his reasons for depriving Islanders of access to an NHS dentist, hopefully he will have time to reply in between trying to strip the Sussex’s of their royal titles.”
Potentially good news
News OnTheWight asked the Isle of Wight MP why he had voted in the way he had.
Bob Seely told News OnTheWight,
“The Labour motion was a party-political stunt. They do not have a viable plan to fund or deliver their motion.
“This is what is happening with dentistry on the Island:
“First, a temporary increase in NHS payments for Island dental practices has been put in place to increase NHS treatments on the Island.
“Second, the recommissioning of contracts with NHS dentists starts this month to increase NHS capacity on the Island.
“Third, starting by March at the latest, a mobile dental bus will come to the Island to treat those with the most urgent needs.
“These are real improvements rather than political games.
“In addition, the Government is bringing forward a plan for dentistry later this year.”
Mr Seely’s response raised 12 more questions, which we’ve put to the MP’s office. He hopes to get responses to us early next week, so we’ll run another article then, updating readers on the news.
