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24
Mar 2021
Harrogate dentist drops plans to stop NHS services
It comes after an investigation by the Stray Ferret found just two NHS dentists are currently accepting patients, with a waiting list of at least two-and-a-half years.
Chatsworth House Dentist on Kings Road.
A Harrogate dentist has dropped plans to stop providing NHS services after patients raised concerns.
Chatsworth House Dental Clinic proposed in August transferring NHS patients to Starbeck Dental Centre.
The provider never made a formal approach to the NHS and has now confirmed it has no intention to stop the service.
The owners of Chatsworth House Dental Clinic said in a statement to the Stray Ferret:
"At the time, the practice was merely seeking opinion from our patient base about the possible merging of NHS services with another practice in the locality.
"We decided not to pursue this any further after feedback from our patients and the logistics of such a proposal.
"We have no intention of ceasing NHS services and the practice is fully committed to providing NHS services for the long-term future at its current location."
The decision surprised the management team at Starbeck Dental Centre, which was set to take on the NHS contract.
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Jonathan Campbell, group operations manager at Starbeck Dental Centre, said:
"I can confirm that the transfer to Starbeck Dental Centre is not happening following the unexpected withdrawal from the owners of Chatsworth House Dental Clinic.
"At Target Dental Group our aim is to provide the best possible care to the patients to both NHS and private patients of Harrogate and surrounding areas."
Investigation into NHS dentist provision in Harrogate district
It comes after an investigation by the Stray Ferret found that just two NHS dentists in the Harrogate district are currently accepting patients and they have a waiting list of at least two-and-a-half years.
We looked into the availability of free NHS services at the 18 district dental practices listed on the NHS website.
Many have not updated their information for years. But they all fall into one of three categories: they have a long waiting list; they have such a long waiting list that they are not taking on new patients; or they no longer hold an NHS contract.
Of the 18 practices, only MyDentist in Knaresborough and AW Jones Dental Practice in Boroughbridge are taking patients — with waiting times of two-and-a-half years and three years respectively.
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