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New dentists set to fill the gap

30/12/2004

HEALTH bosses are hoping to install three new NHS dentists at Accrington Victoria Hospital in a bid to improve dental care in Hyndburn.

The plan could provide treatment for up to 6,000 patients and is expected to cost around £100,000. The new dentists are part of a package of reforms to make it easier for patients to have treatment. It is hoped they will be in place by March.

A spokesman for the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust said: "The main idea is to make dentists more available to the people of Hyndburn. We are always looking for suitable premises to house surgeries and there is already an emergency dental suite at the hospital.

"Our current target is to increase the number of places available to people by 12,000 next year. We are also looking further ahead to the future. We want to increase the training opportunities available for dentists in East Lancashire and we are working with Liverpool University on this.

"Ideally, we would like to make East Lancashire as attractive for dentists to work in as possible."

"Although the extra three dentists will not be available until spring next year, we would like people to register now by contacting either the trust or NHS Direct.

NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 4647 and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust on 380400.