Health officials in Rutland have been informed that the local community is growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing lack of improvements to NHS dental services in the area.
Dr. Janet Underwood, the chair of Rutland’s health watch group, voiced these concerns during a recent meeting with leaders from the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) in Oakham. She stressed the urgent need for action to address the pressing issues affecting the region’s dental care.
When a proposal was made to delay discussions on the ICB’s dental health plan until the summer, Dr. Underwood firmly disagreed, asserting that those responsible for commissioning dental services in Rutland must be held accountable for the current state of affairs.
Growing Frustration Among Rutland Residents
Dr. Underwood made it clear that she was speaking on behalf of Rutland’s residents, many of whom are deeply frustrated by the ongoing dental care crisis. She shared a recent example of a local woman who, unable to afford a £340 private dental extraction, sought advice on social media. Dr. Underwood emphasized that these kinds of issues are happening on a weekly basis.
“We must not simply accept that these problems are ongoing and beyond resolution. The people of Rutland deserve better,” Dr. Underwood asserted. “It is vital that we continue to apply pressure and hold those in charge accountable.”
Ongoing Struggles with Recruitment and Data Reliability
Since April 2022, the LLR ICB has been tasked with commissioning dental services for Rutland but has faced significant challenges in recruiting sufficient dental professionals, despite offering new incentives. As a result, many residents have been left without access to necessary treatments or have been forced to seek private care at significant cost.
In a previous meeting of the health and wellbeing board in October, it was revealed that some of the data used in an oral health needs assessment for the region was unreliable, particularly in relation to hospital extractions. ICB deputy chief operating officer Debra Mitchell had agreed to address this data issue.
Rutland County Council’s Gale Waller (Lib Dem) also pledged to write to the health secretary before Christmas to highlight the county’s struggles. However, she recently reported that a proposed development session involving healthcare partners had not yet been arranged and was unlikely to occur before April, as originally requested by Dr. Underwood.
Accountability and the Need for Action
Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health, echoed Dr. Underwood’s concerns, emphasizing the need for accountability. “We need to hold feet to the fire, but we must also see progress,” he said. “There is no value in merely hearing discussions about the oral health situation in Leicester without addressing the specific needs of Rutland.”
The issue of dental access has been a recurring topic at local political meetings for several months, yet tangible changes remain elusive. With continued frustration among the public, the urgency for action grows, and local leaders are under increasing pressure to find solutions to the ongoing crisis.
In the coming months, Rutland residents and officials alike will be watching closely for any developments as the situation continues to unfold.
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