Sara Hurley’s New Project Encounters Delays
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 03 January 2024 09:30
- Written by Peter Ingle
- Hits: 1376
Before departing her role as Chief Dental Officer England, Sara Hurley, spoke of private dentists experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out) when they looked at the life they might have enjoyed in her new improved version of NHS care. To date, it is eager members of the public who are missing out, as the University based dental centre she leads appears to be slipping behind schedule.
The scheme, at the University of Suffolk is described in the former CDO’s Linkedin as, “An ambitious and pioneering not-for-profit social dental enterprise addressing the need for NHS dental provision across Suffolk. The initiative has potential to transform dental services in the wider region and beyond, in terms of dental care provision running in concert with the University’s focus on education and training for our future dental workforce.”
In July local papers were reporting that the centre would be accepting patients by the end of the year, and that there would be an announcement once appointments were being taken. To date, there has been no announcement nor any further information on a possible opening date.
With the end of the year fast approaching GDPUK tried to check on progress. A brief search found no information more recent than the July stories. A further search provided an email address and phone number for enquiries.
An enquiry to the email address was rejected. The phone number was answered by a voicemail announcing that it was for the ‘Student Centre at University of Suffolk.’ A message was left asking how to make an appointment. We were called back a little later by someone who did not appear to be attached to the dental project, but was able to advise that the first students would be starting in January or September depending on progress in getting the course validated. They thought that any appointments would be tied to the course starting, and at this time none could be made.
When GDPUK mentioned the July press articles the person seemed not be aware of the centre. We explained about the 10 surgery clinic and were told that it was probably ‘coming off the back of the (training) programme.’ As regards making an appointment, it was suggested that we keep an eye on the University website which would be the first place to find out, when any did become available.
At the time of writing the University website reveals a couple of possible reasons for delays. While the BSc (Hons) Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapy course is shown with a projected start date for February 2024, it is marked as ‘subject to validation’. According to the website: “The General Dental Council (GDC) have recommended that this course can commence from February 2024, the GDC will consider the course for full approval in line with their standard timeline during the final year of the first cohort.”
Later it says: “After you complete this course, you may be able to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a dental hygienist and a dental therapist and embark on your dental career straight away. This dual role BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course is currently undergoing accreditation with the General Dental Council (GDC).”
It is not clear whether this situation is as a result of delays setting the course up, delays by the GDC, or the result of a rushed process.
There may also be difficulties attracting staff to the project. In October GDPUK reported on a variety of posts at the centre being advertised with closing dates a few days later. Despite this on the Friday before Christmas new advertisements were posted for nurse, dentist, and senior dentist roles, joining one seeking to fill one or more hygienist/therapist vacancies which had been placed 14 days ago. Comparing the posts still available with those advertised in October it does appear that the centre has secured a clinical lead and receptionists.
NHS capacity in the Ipswich centre cannot come soon enough, with figures from the Local Government Association in October last year showing that Suffolk had some of the lowest NHS dentist numbers in the country, Mid Suffolk having just 0.067 dentists per 1,000 people.
You need to be logged in to leave comments.
Report