Decline in dental services across Teesdale nothing to smile about

County councillor Ted Henderson

THE NHS has admitted that its dental services in Teesdale have been in decline over the past two years and is “working to understand” the area’s needs.
This follows a “temporary” halt to a weekly mobile dental service in Middleton-in-Teesdale and a decision to treat only disabled patients at the Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle.
The reduction has sparked an outcry from people who used the services.
County councillor for the upper dale Ted Henderson said people had been directed to Richardson Hospital after the mobile service at Middleton-in-Teesdale was stopped when key staff retired two years ago.
At the time, a NHS spokesperson said the halt in service was temporary until new staff were recruited and the vehicle refurbished. It has never been reinstated.
Cllr Henderson said demand for the Richardson Hospital service was high, with people having to wait two or three months for an appointment.
He added: “We want to know why it is being withdrawn. We don’t know where the closest one will be, at Darlington or Bishop Auckland. People who haven’t got transport will find it hard to get anywhere except Barnard Castle.”
He described the service at Richardson Hospital as a “perfectly good, well equipped facility”.
He added: “We are still trying to find out what is going on with the mobile service.”
Jonathan Slade, medical director for NHS England, Cumbria and the North East confirmed the service had degraded since the closure of the mobile service.
He said: “We are working with County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust to understand the need for dental services in the area, and of those patients accessing current services.
“We appreciate that any possible change in services will be concerning for patients, but we are able to reassure them that there is a practice just under a mile away, which is accepting NHS patients.
“Because of this availability nearby, we are confident that patients will still be able to access local NHS dental treatment if need be.
“We will of course keep patients and the public updated with any developments.”