A gap in NHS dental care in Keswick could get bigger – unless crucial vacancies can be filled.
This week Keswick Dental provided patients with an update having stepped in to rescue the NHS contract in the town following the departure of Bupa Dental Care Keswick from Packhorse Court.
Keswick Dental has retained the crucial NHS dental contract, and said it remained “committed” to providing NHS services in town.
But like so many others, the practice has revealed it cannot offer “routine NHS care” until it finds a new NHS dentist and NHS therapist.
However, there is a national shortage and last year, Cumbria was described as a “dental desert”.
Keswick Dental has also confirmed it cannot maintain an NHS waiting list to potential new patients, just like forerunners Bupa.
Following the transfer of ownership, recruitment for the posts will begin. The hope is a beautiful town like Keswick might just be able to lure new staff to the area.
The update from Keswick Dental added: “If you are currently having any NHS treatment with us, you can complete it as arranged. If you have a routine examination appointment booked with us you do not need to contact us at this time. We’ll be in touch to let you know about next steps.
“If you are a current NHS patient at the practice and need emergency NHS care, please call us during our opening hours.
“If you need emergency NHS care and we are closed, please call the NHS Dental Helpline on 111. They are open 24 hours a day, every day and they will be able to help you. To ensure we can focus on our existing patients’ routine care as soon as we are able, we will not be maintaining an NHS waiting list at this time. If you would like to find another NHS dentist, you can search for one on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist.”
