New figures show Cumbria slipping back on NHS dentistry

New figures highlighted by Tim Farron have shown the drop in the number of patients in Cumbria with access to an NHS dentist.

Since the new dental contracts were introduced in 2006, Cumbria has seen an 11% fall in the number of patients being seen by an NHS dentist. During the same period, the North West as a whole saw a 3.1% rise.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has expressed his concern at the apparent failure of the NHS in Cumbria to ensure residents have access to NHS dentistry, and is continuing his calls on the local Primary Care Trust and the government to improve the situation. Tim is well-known for his campaigns to improve NHS dentistry access in the South Lakes.

Speaking after the release of the figures, Tim said: "I don't understand why Cumbria would be such a special case that the number of people with access to an NHS dentist would fall so much when the rest of the North West hasn't had the same problem.

"It's clear that as dentists left the profession in the wake of the 2006 changes, they have not been replaced. NHS Cumbria needs to take action now to improve this situation quickly.

"We also need to make sure that the potential changes being announced by the government enable dentists to remain within the NHS, and improve access for local residents. I will be working in Westminster to make sure that that happens. Local people have already paid for NHS dentistry through their taxes - it is high time that they should be able to get what they have paid for!"