I am delighted to report that due to pressure brought about by Harry Smith (former 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.

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.

Some NHS dentists have been working under new contracts . 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.