By Mal Butler
A new NHS dental practice is to return to Freshwater and will be announced next week.
Residents were shocked by the recent closure of Mydentist in The Avenue meaning there was no NHS service in the whole of the West Wight.
However, Totland resident, Ieuan Jehu, organised a petition signed by more than 2,000 people and, with backing from West Wight MP Richard Quigley, has claimed victory in their campaign.
Speaking in an interview on Radio Solent yesterday morning which involved Ieuan, James Roach, director of primary care for NHS Hants and IW, confirmed: “In terms of Freshwater, we have worked hard to find a solution. We can now announce there will be a new NHS dentist to take over at Freshwater, with further details next week.
“I hope we can have better dialogue with the people in Freshwater and across the Island.”
The Island has lost six NHS practices in the last 18 months and the lack of dentists has been described as ‘critical’.
Ieuan said: “It’s fantastic news.”
Mr Quigley added: “This is good news, not just for the NHS patients that have been using MyDentist and were worried what would happen next, but also for the committed and caring employees. I thank the NHS Integrated Care Board for moving quickly and keeping me informed on their plans and the community for coming together to highlight the issue. I will keep working on improving access to NHS dentistry for all residents and I have written again to Minister Stephen Kinnock to ask for more support.”
Isle of Wight Observer