AN OUTSPOKEN councillor has launched an inquiry into the sudden closure of a popular St John’s dentist.
Coun Alan Amos, the chairman of the health scrutiny committee at Worcestershire County Council, has put the closure of the St. John’s NHS Dental Practice on the agenda for the health committee in order to see what lessons can be learned.
In May, many patients were left seeking answers when the Malvern Road practice, which was used by thousands, closed at short notice due to an end of contract.
After receiving a number of complaints, Coun Amos raised the matter with NHS England and has since stated the alternative practices are too far for people to travel.
“Firstly, given that it was a contract with an end date, the closure was known well in advance and the announcement and letters to patients went out far too late.
“It reduces a fair geographical spread of dental practices around the city with complaints that most of the new places are up to two miles away and on the other side of the river.
“For many people, in particular the elderly, there will be great difficulty in getting to an alternative because there are no bus routes that go there, so this could seriously reduce accessibility.
“Dental attention is so important for prevention of later problems that being able to get to a dentist easily is most important for all age groups,” he added.
David Williams, NHS England’s Lead Director for Primary Care in the West Midlands, assured patients they would not be left without a service.
“We have increased capacity in other local practices to take on all the patients from St John’s Dental Practice. No-one will be left without access to a local dentist as a result of this closure,” he added.
