MPs heard yet more local Healthwatch evidence in their inquiry into NHS dentistry this week in a roundtable at the House of Commons.
Joanna Smith, manager of Healthwatch Isle of Wight, attended the roundtable on 7th June to share patient evidence with Steve Brine, chair of the Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee and three other MP members.
Also invited were members of the campaign group Toothless in England, along with national parent carer representatives and a person who had ended up needing hospital treatment after removing their own teeth.
Call for change to the dentistry contracts
Healthwatch Isle of Wight shared with committee chair Steve Brine ( MP for Winchester), issues about lack of access to NHS dentistry on the Island and the extra costs to patients in travelling to the mainland to get treatment.
They requested changes to the dentistry contract to make it easier for dentists to provide NHS care and highlighted the urgent need for NHS dental care to be made available to everyone, not just those who can afford to pay privately.
Views added to the final inquiry report
Views shared in the roundtable will be included in the final inquiry report of the committee, with recommendations for government. The report should be published in about a month’s time.
The inquiry has previously heard evidence given in person from Healthwatch England and Healthwatch North Lincolnshire and also received dozens of written submissions from local Healthwatch, including Healthwatch Isle of Wight.
Smith: A great opportunity for us to highlight the significant problems
Joanna Smith said,
“The government roundtable was a great opportunity for us to highlight the significant problems that Island residents have in accessing NHS dentistry and to request that the government takes swift action.
“We are very grateful to all those people who have contacted us to share their experiences, which has given us the evidence to highlight these serious issues both locally and nationally.”
News shared by Joanna on behalf of Healthwatch IW. Ed
Image: caroline lm under CC BY 2.0
