The SDLP’s Sinéad McLaughlin has shared that an increasing number of constituents are unable to register as a new NHS dental patient in Derry.
She is calling on the minister of health to urgently intervene to improve access.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I have been contacted by many constituents struggling to register as an NHS dental patient in Derry.
“Most recently I was contacted by a single mother who said she had called every dental practice in Derry and not one would accept her or her two young children as new NHS patients.
“Another constituent was forced to travel to Donegal to access care.
“This is causing many families intense anxiety. Either they register privately and experience increased financial pressures or they go without essential dental care and worry about the long-term consequences.
“I had written to the minister of health to raise these issues. Disappointingly, the advice was that constituents should ring around and may have to travel further than normal.
“This is unacceptable. Not everyone has access to a car and public transport is not always accessible.
“Also, this issue is not isolated to Derry. Dental practices right across the North are turning down new NHS patients.
“I have replied to the minister to highlight these points and call for urgent intervention.
“These issues have been bubbling for months and have now reached crisis point.
“Failure to support people in accessing the NHS care that they are entitled to will lead to poorer health outcomes and will further widen inequalities.”
