A task force has been set up to investigate people’s access to GPs and dentists in West Cumbria.
It has been sparked by a Workington dentists surgery closing to new NHS patients – leaving the town without an NHS dentist – and the reorganisation of GPs in the town into a single group.
Research found that there was not a single dentist surgery in Cumbria taking new NHS patients for routine work, though local appointments could be found for an emergency.
Allerdale council has set up the councillor-led task force as part of its overview and scrutiny committee to look at the issues. They will meet with NHS bosses later this year.
Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes, chair of the task group said: “We know this is a pressing issue for many residents and we want to hear what the situation is like where you live.
“Has your GP surgery recovered since the start of the pandemic? If you are not registered with a dentist, have you tried and been successful? If you are an insider, working for the NHS, how can the situation in Cumbria be improved?”
Call for evidence
The committee is keen to hear from residents and anyone with information that would be helpful to the councillors’ investigation. Evidence should be about the general situation in terms of accessing GP and dentist services and should not be about individual cases.
This evidence will be used to help inform councillors before they meet with NHS commissioners in the early autumn.
The deadline for submissions is therefore Tuesday September 20.
Submissions should be made in writing to Scrutiny@Allerdale.gov.uk or by post to: Scrutiny Task Group, Allerdale Borough Council, Allerdale House, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 3YJ
Cumbria Crack is also keen to hear from people experiencing difficulties accessing NHS dentists or getting to see a doctor – email us at admin@cumbriacrack.com
