Concerns about the Isle of Wight’s dentistry services still stand out in feedback on the Island’s health and social care services, a report has shown.
In an intelligence document for August 13 to September 12, Island watchdog Healthwatch Isle of Wight noted over 60 responses amounted to negative feedback on dentistry services.
Islanders were also said to be “very concerned” about the possible closure of another NHS dental practice in the west of the Isle of Wight – though Freshwater’s MyDentist has now been saved with the help of another NHS provider.
One Islander told Healthwatch:
“My whole family are unable to access NHS dentistry since we moved to the IOW.
“I recently have had a series of three fillings but only had two as I can’t afford the third at the moment.”
Another said:
“More dentists are needed on the IOW that accept NHS. I’ve been trying for several years now.
“I don’t have the money to even sign up to one on the mainland that takes NHS patients.
“It’s disgusting, I’ve not even been able to get on the list for the dental aid bus.”
The other most common area of feedback related to GP services, with over 20 negative responses received.
“Nothing went well - I went for a blood test that nobody had told me that I needed to fast for,” one GP practice patient told Healthwatch.
Overall, 50 per cent of feedback on the Island’s health and social care services has been negative between August 13 and September 12, compared to three per cent which has been mixed or neutral and 47 per cent recorded as positive.
Other central points raised by Islanders included “positive feedback” in relation to staff and care at Mountbatten and long waits for “neurology assessments” and “support”.
A respondent whose relative was at the hospice said staff went “above and beyond” with their “love and care”.
James Roach, director of primary care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said:
“Working with our partners, we are committed to ensuring the best possible care for our communities and ensuring access to the right NHS services is always available on the Isle of Wight.
“Over the last two years, GP appointments have risen, NHS dental access has improved and we have launched more collaborative ways of working with our community services.
“We have also put in place a range of innovative services in the community in partnership with our GPs.”
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