A dental clinic in Hexham has announced it will be stopping NHS services.
The team at Hexham Dental Clinic revealed their decision to transition away from providing National Health Service (NHS) dental treatments after years of dedicated service.
They cited challenges in NHS dentistry highlighted by sources such as the Health and Social Care Committee, the Nuffield Trust, and the British Dental Association.
Despite their deep commitment to patient well-being, the team stated that their decision was hard but necessary. The change will come into effect on October 1, 2024.
They acknowledged potential disappointment within the community, stressing their ongoing dedication to quality dental care access.
Importantly, services for children, which they hoped to retain, are also affected.
The clinic had made a formal request to the area contract management team at the NHS to continue these services, but it wasn't accepted because of national NHS policy.
To mitigate the effects of this transition, Hexham Dental Clinic is introducing a private membership scheme, ensuring continued access to dental care.
This offers to spread costs aiming at the same degree of service and compassion in dental care as they have provided under NHS service.
In a statement, the clinic said it stands dedicated to the oral health of Hexham's residents.
Customers looking for further information related to this transition and about the new services being offered are suggested to visit the Hexham Dental Clinic's official website or contact them directly for further details.
The team iterates that they remain committed to meeting Hexham's dental needs, ensuring the same level of care as before, but through a new model of service.
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