Chippenham residents hope to save NHS dental services

In July, Dr Michael Frain Ltd’s Hathaway Dental Practice in Chippenham confirmed it would be scrapping NHS care from November 1 onwards.

This sparked “devastation” amongst many patients who say they have been left with “nowhere to go.”

Newly elected MP Sarah Gibson told residents she is campaigning to keep NHS services at the practice open.

She said: “I have received hundreds of emails, letters, and phone calls from patients devastated to lose out on NHS dentistry.

“I am doing all I can to see if we can keep NHS provision open at Hathaway.

“I will do my best to keep you updated. Rest assured this is an absolute priority for me.”

READ MORE: NHS dental services scrapped at major Wiltshire practice

Hathaway Medical Practice in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest)

This has included contacting the practice and the Integrated Care Board, and Mrs Gibson is set to meet the board in the coming weeks.

She also escalated the issue directly to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and urged him to intervene.

Residents have spoken of their “heartbreak” at the news.

Courtney Sweet said: “Myself and my daughter are patients and were absolutely heartbroken when we received the letters.

“I have looked into the cost of private dental care and as a single mum, I could not afford it.

“We are in a cost of living crisis as it is with many families on the breadline leading to mental health issues and people drowning in debt. This is one extra thing we do not need.

“Dental health is so important and should be able to be accessed by all to remain healthy.”

Hathaway Medical Centre in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest)

Mitch Nas added: “It’s vital that people who need it still have access to NHS dentistry.

“There are so many health conditions that begin with poor mouth hygiene, and so many medical conditions that cause poor dentistry.”

The practice's director, Dr Andrew Halmer, says the decision was made because of “significant challenges” trying to recruit staff.

He said: “We have been dedicated to providing NHS dental care at Hathaway Dental Practice for over 14 years, and this decision has been incredibly difficult for us.

“Key positions have remained vacant and recently, we have been unable to attract any dentists willing to work under the NHS contract.

“We deeply regret the impact this will have on our patients and the community but hope they will understand that, in order to provide dental services at Hathaway Dental Practice, we couldn't carry on under the current system.”