Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has expressed concern in the Senedd today that thousands more people in North Wales will no longer be registered with an NHS Dentist following news that a dentist practice in the Rhyl area is quitting the NHS.
In recent years, Darren has seen a number of NHS dental practices his constituency close and has repeatedly called on Ministers in Cardiff Bay to take action.
He was therefore disappointed to learn that the MyDentist Practice in Rhyl is now handing back its NHS contract from the end of the year, which he said will impact on people living in Clwyd West as well as the Vale of Clwyd.
Calling for an update from the Minister for Health and Social Services in relation to NHS dentistry in Wales in today’s Business Statement, he said:
“I know we've had reason to visit this many times in the past, however, there are concerns in my constituency because yet another NHS dentistry contract is being handed back, in the Rhyl area, which affects my constituents.
“That will mean that thousands more people are no longer registered with an NHS dentist. That's on top of the Rhuthin Dental Practice handing back its contract earlier in the year, the White Gables Dental Practice in Colwyn Bay handing back its contract in June, and the Total Orthodontics contract in Colwyn Bay also being axed.
“It is clear that there are serious problems with the NHS contract reform that the Government has embarked upon, and this is forcing more and more dentists out of NHS dentistry. We need an urgent statement, because this is becoming a very serious and acute problem indeed and, if we're not careful, no-one will be able to access an NHS dentist in North Wales or elsewhere.”
Speaking after the meeting, Darren added:
“The Welsh Government have repeatedly said that they do not have the money to invest in NHS dentistry, but the truth of the matter is that for every £1 that's spent on an NHS dentistry episode in England, Wales gets £1.20 to spend here.
“Their lame excuses don’t wash with my constituents who can’t access a dentist.”
Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below:
