Bradley Thomas has met with a local dental practice to discuss the provision of services in Bromsgrove and the Villages.
At a meeting held at New Road Dental Practice, Bradley brought together the owners of the practice Ravi and Pritesh Solanki, the Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Simon Trickett, and Charmaine Hawker, Director of Delegated Commissioning at NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
There are 12 NHS practices and 5 private practices in Bromsgrove, and Bradley is committed to ensuring residents have access to NHS dental services.
In February 2024, a Dental Recovery Plan was published by the last Government with the aim of delivering 2.5 million extra appointments in England over the next year where they are needed most.
Bradley said:
“Everyone should be able to see an NHS dentist and be able to receive treatment quickly and easily when they need it. That’s why I brought together New Road Dental Practice and the Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire to discuss the provision of services across our constituency.
“The previous Government introduced the Dental Recovery Plan and for improvements to continue the new Government must begin formal negotiations to reform the NHS dental contract. Ministers have committed to do so and there’s no time to waste.
“To increase the number of NHS dentists, a consultation was launched in May 2024 on a proposal to mandate NHS service for graduate dentists. This would aim to ensure that newly qualified dentists spend at least some of their time delivering NHS dental care in the years following the completion of training. Responses to the consultation are being analysed and I urge the Government to clarify how it will proceed as soon as possible.
“I remain committed to working with local dentists and the NHS to ensure my constituents continue to have access to NHS dental services.”
