‘A kick in the teeth’ - MP demands action after patients left waiting 65 weeks for orthodontic treatment

Local MP Tim Farron has written to the Chief Executive of Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust to call for action on the dentistry crisis, after it emerged that patients were waiting 15 months for treatment.

A letter from the Trust’s Chief Medical Officer Jane McNicholas revealed that “within our Trust, we currently have 1,100 patients on the waiting list - with some patients waiting in excess of 65 weeks for their care. In addition, there are approximately 70 patients whose referrals are awaiting triage”.

Figures from the NHS also show that almost 60% of adults in South Cumbria and Lancashire haven’t seen an NHS dentist in the past two years. Meanwhile nearly half (45%) of children in the area haven’t been seen a dentist in the last 12 months.

Writing to the Trust's CEO Aaron Cummins, Tim said: “A 65 week wait time is jaw dropping and l wonder how that compares with other Trusts?  

“The fact that there will be children and young teens on there who are waiting well over a year and then getting very irregular appointments thereafter to complete a course of treatment that often lasts a couple of years is dire, as they may miss the boat and end up carrying problems into their adult life.

“I wonder what assistance you need from me, as l am keen to see some much needed progress and increased capacity coming on stream so that those who enter the orthodontic system have some confidence of continuity of care and reliability that their treatment plan will be adhered to and not elongated due to missed appointments and lack of staffing to deliver that care.”