Dental contract another botched NHS reform - Gidley

10.46.38pm GMT Wed 31st Jan 2007

Commenting on reports that dentists are turning away NHS patients because local health bosses are running out of cash under the new dental contract, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"This is yet another botched NHS contract by a Government hell-bent on driving through reforms with little understanding of the impact on patients and professionals.

"With many NHS Trusts deep in deficit, they simply cannot afford to bail dentists out of this latest Government-created problem. Their hands are tied.

"Rushed implementation of a system that was not tried and tested has led to the Government underestimating the number of exempt patients. The impact will be felt by all patients.

"It is simply unacceptable that patients seeking NHS dentistry are being encouraged to go private.

"A mere 10 months after the new contract was introduced, we are witnessing a major crisis in NHS dentistry."

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