Darlington dentist delay: MP makes 'pull your finger out' demand

Peter Gibson says his constituents have "waited long enough"

Delays in finalising contracts for a new dental service in Darlington has led the town's MP to urge NHS bosses to "pull their finger out".

The Burgess and Hyder dental surgery closed in March, with the facility standing empty since.

In Parliament, Peter Gibson called on the local NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) to find another NHS dentist.

The ICB said it is working to improve access to NHS dentistry amid recruitment difficulties.

Contract not finalised

Shortly after Burgess and Hyder closed, NHS England handed over responsibility for the commissioning of NHS dental services to ICBs across the country.

In August, NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB commissioned work on a new contract in the area.

The BBC understands dentists have expressed interest in moving into the empty practice based at Firthmoor Community Centre.

However, ICB plans for the contract are not finalised and the procurement process has not begun.

The local ICB says it wants to start formal procurement early in 2024

Addressing Parliament last week, Mr Gibson said: "Firthmoor Community Centre has a ready-made and well-established facility.

"My constituents have waited long enough for the ICB to pull their finger out and fix this urgent problem.

"It is disappointing that the solution we're all looking for is within the ICB's grasp to resolve."

A spokesman for the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB said there is "a view to commencing the formal procurement as early as possible in 2024".

The ICB acknowledged "significant challenges" accessing dentistry in the region, highlighting difficulties with the retention and recruitment of dentists and the struggle to overcome pandemic-related service backlogs.

The care board aims to provide 27,500 additional dentist appointments by April, and has earmarked £7.5m to secure new NHS contracts to address gaps in provision.