NHS
Genito Urinary Deparment
I am delighted to report that due to pressure brought about by Harry Smith (Mayor and senior nurse at the Genito Urinary department at Darent Valley Hospital), senior practioners and myself, the GU clinic has been a given a clean bill of health to continue to operate at DVH. There was a real risk that due to cut backs that this valued service would be severely cut back or lost. Happily, the team will be extending their services across the constituency.
Hearing Aids
I am recieving reports of
problems facing constituents in
getting appointments for new or
updated hearing aids. Some
people have suffered waiting
times running into years. We
are trying very hard to fight this,
but need as much evidence as
possible. If you or a family
member or friend has suffered
in this way, please get in touch
with me as soon as convenient.
NHS Dentists - Is there a crisis?
From April this year NHS dentists were
required to sign a new contract. One in ten
dentists have refused to sign and others
have signed but are in dispute with the
government. Nationally, this is a four per
cent decline in services. In May I
conducted a survey of dentists registered
as NHS dentists. In Gravesham, at this
time, there were only two NHS dentists
taking on new NHS patients with the
remainder saying they had an appointment
waiting time of 4-12 weeks. One practice is
turning away around 40 patients a month,
half of which are elderly, in pain or young.
Under the new contract fillings will cost £42, under the old contract it was £6.20.
Under the new contract a check-up will
cost £15.50, under the old contract it was £5.50. I am raising the concerns of
constituents with the Primary Healthcare
Trust and I would like people to contact me
if they are finding it difficult to register as
an NHS patient or are having difficulties
making an appointment if they are already
registered.
I will be contacting NHS dentists again but
in the meantime I would like to hear from
dentists with an up-to-date assessment of
the current situation.
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