PCT Announces Dental Boost for Cheltenham and Tewkesbury
07/06/2007
Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust has today announced that new dental practices in High Street, Cheltenham and High Street, Tewkesbury are on course to open this year providing capacity for around 9,600 NHS patients at each location when fully up and running.
The premises were secured by the PCT’s business partner for the project, ADP Dental and the brand new facilities will house 4 dental chairs, staffed by four full time dentists.
When they are open the two practices will offer routine NHS dental care.
The PCT has stressed that it will not be possible for patients to register with the Practices until arrangements have been finalised later in the year.
Information on how patients can register will be publicised widely in early Summer and in the meantime the Trust has asked patients not to contact the Dental Helpline, the Practices or the PCT with enquiries concerning the registration process.
Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Jan Stubbings said:
“This is another important development and builds on the successful opening of similar practices in other parts of Gloucestershire over recent years. We know from public feedback that improving access to Dentistry is very high on the public’s priority list and the opening of the Practices will represent a significant step forward in responding to the health needs of local people.”
“Although these developments mean that we will be able to significantly increase the availability of NHS dentistry in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, we are not complacent as we know that there is still much work to be done to improve access still further.”
“We will be investing significant funds this year to increase NHS provision across Gloucestershire. Discussions are continuing with a number of existing practices to expand their work with the NHS.”
It is hoped that the Cheltenham Practice will open its doors in July, with the Tewkesbury Practice opening in September, subject to planning permission.
Plans for the premises have been reviewed by the PCT and a representative from the Patients Forum to ensure that they provide good access for all patient groups.
