New and expanded NHS dental surgeries in Portsmouth set to open this spring
NEW NHS dental surgeries are on schedule to open this spring with building work already started, as Portsmouth has gone 'far too long' without provision.
The NHS confirmed work has commenced to create extra capacity at Cosham Dental Surgery in the north of the city, as well as the conversion of the former GP surgery Hanway Road Medical Practice in Buckland to a dental practice.
As previously reported, it is planned both will be ready to open by April.
In a letter to the Portsmouth health overview and scrutiny panel Alison Cross, from NHS England, said: 'The building work has commenced at each site and as to date, even with the current national Tier 5 instruction, we have not been advised of any delay to the building work.
'However, as previously mentioned this could change if key personnel are unwell or must self-isolate but if this is the case NHS England and NHS Improvement will update the meeting accordingly.
'As previously advised the temporary additional activity that is being provided by existing dental practices whilst the procurement was carried out, continues to be in place.'
New dental providers were sought when Swiss company Colosseum Dental shut down its three city practices without warning in July 2019 - leaving 20,000 people without provision. The News launched the Kick in the Teeth campaign to keep the subject in the public eye.
Last year Cosham Dental Surgery, a private practice in Cosham high street, was awarded a contract to accept NHS patients.
And Smile Dental Care was given a contract to open a new site at Hanway Road Medical Practice.
Roger Batterbury, from Healthwatch Portsmouth, said the group would watch the providers 'very carefully.'
'We are very excited,' he said.
'What people of the city need are fully functioning dental surgeries offering both check ups and emergency appointments.
'So we will be looking very very carefully at what they do and if they don't do this we will call a dental summit to talk to the NHS.
'The city has gone far too long without enough dental provision.'
The Colosseum Dental practices that closed were located in Portsea, Southsea and Paulsgrove.
Since then temporary extra NHS dental care in Portsmouth has been available through Bupa and Perfect Smile practices.