HEALTH minister Rosie Winterton was quizzed over the state of NHS dentistry on a visit to the north west.
The M.E.N. has revealed that almost two thirds of NHS dentists across the region are poised to move into the private sector because of a contract dispute with health bosses.
The minister said that she was surprised by the results of a poll conducted by Manchester's Dental Committee, which showed that only 38 per cent of practices would stay with the NHS after April.
Recruiting
The minister said that millions of pounds of government money had gone into recruiting more dentists across Britain, including Manchester.
Ms Winterton promised that government reforms would mean more access to more dentists in the future. She was in Salford to open a scheme that trains dental nurses to carry out simple operations, freeing dentists' time.
Hundreds of patients are being forced to find a new doctor following the closure of a GP's practice in Moston.
The 1,935 patients at the surgery in Kenyon Lane will need to transfer to other doctors when the lease runs out at the end of the month.
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Ace Riley, manchester (13/01/2006 at 14:42)
You mean britain dont you?We are Quickly becoming a third world country we have to que for a dentist we have to que for a doctor we have to wait months or if not years for life threatening hospital treatments? Is this what we really want for our people.We have worked for generations to build a system to better our country but within a few years our government has opened the door to every nation to abuse our medical and social system to breaking point "For gods sake some of you need to speak out and complain to your MPs Ect Dont let the politicians gag you "Ministers giving hollow promises" That they really know they cannot fulfil while we have people abusing the system,We have people comming to britain for free health care while on holiday Ect and some even come to britain for a yearly medical ??Ect .
Joe public, Manchester (13/01/2006 at 15:42)
What a shambles this country is turning into but don't worry if your on the top of the social heap because it wont affect you.
stef, salford (13/01/2006 at 22:48)
To be quite honest in my opinion there wont be a nhs dental scheme in a few years time because i think its that bad its is beyond repair.
jj, manchester (13/01/2006 at 23:33)
Yet the spin keeps coming.
lesley connor, rochdale (01/02/2006 at 15:49)