Concerns about the number of NHS dentists in the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency are being taken forward by local MP Andrew Jones.
The NHS has a duty to commission dental care services to meet local needs. This duty was previously carried out by NHS England, but from April 2023, the duty was transferred to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Since April 1, the North Yorkshire and Humber ICB has been assessing the current provision across North Yorkshire and the Humber.
On September 8, 2023, Andrew and other North Yorkshire and Humber MPs, are meeting the ICB to discuss the dental workforce in our area and issues with the training and retention of staff providing NHS dentistry.
Andrew commented, “It is positive that dental provision has moved from being controlled nationally to a more local approach. I want to see this local management produce results for our area quickly.
“Recently, a small number of constituents have contacted me having had problems getting access to an NHS dentist. Anecdotally, this is a wider problem. I am also concerned that residents moving into the new estates in our area will be left without dental cover.
“So I want the ICB to begin expanding the NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough and to keep the level of service under review as the new estates become fully occupied.
“I encourage constituents who are having trouble accessing NHS dental services to contact me directly. The more evidence I have that the current provision is not adequate, the easier it is to persuade the ICB to expand what is available.”