Darlington’s MP Peter Gibson has today, 5th Dec, spoken about his frustration with the Integrated Care Board for the lack of progress in procuring NHS dentistry provision for Darlington.
The MP spoke of his ‘shock’ that six months have now passed since the dentist at Firthmoor Community Centre handed back their NHS license, and the Integrated Care Board have not even started the tendering process to find another provider.
Back in March the Integrated Care Board announced it intended to start a formal procurement process for a new NHS contract for the remaining capacity of up to 14,000 UDAs. The procurement announcement confirmed the geographical boundaries for the location of the new service, which would include the Eastbourne ward in which Firthmoor Community Centre is located.
Speaking about the issue, Peter Gibson MP said “Firthmoor Community Centre has a ready-made and well-established facility.
“My constituents have waited long enough for the Integrated Care Board to pull their finger out and fix this urgent problem. It is disappointing that the solution we’re all looking for is right within the Integrated Care Board’s grasp to resolve”.
Peter Gibson MP recently contributed to an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on dentistry in County Durham. During the debate, Neil O’Brien, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, confirmed that a comprehensive dental reform plan is underway and that this overhaul will address the 2006 contract made under the Labour government, which limits dentist’s ability to take on more patients. He also went on to confirm that there are 1,473 more NHS dentists across the UK since 2010, this is a 6.5% increase.
Health Minister Andrea Leadsom MP responded praising the question in the House of Commons adding “In my two weeks in this post, the honourable member has raised this issue many times, so I know how much he cares about the issue.
“I would be happy to meet with him to look at finding solutions”.
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