Latest news with #NHSSomerset
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vulnerable people urged to have Covid booster jab
The NHS in Somerset has said only 30% of vulnerable people eligible for a spring Covid-19 vaccination booster have taken up the offer. Since 1 April, 53,000 jabs have been given across the county, but there are fears around low uptake in groups of people who have weakened immune systems. The NHS said those in that group, including people who are having chemotherapy or have conditions such as HIV, are at a significantly higher risk from Covid-19. Mike Kelly, who runs the vaccine programme for the NHS in Somerset said: "We are concerned that many people who need the vaccine most are missing out." More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset He added: "Whether you've been immunosuppressed and vaccinated for the past few years or were only recently diagnosed with cancer, you are entitled to a Covid-19 vaccination. It's essential protection, and it's easy to access." Dr Bharat Pankhania, a senior lecturer in disease control, said immunisation is more important in vulnerable groups because of a lack of "immune memory". "We have a large number of people who are vulnerable to the effects of the infection... some of them could become very ill. "Repeated infections of the virus, research shows, is harmful. It creates an inflammatory response and it shows they have decline - they have effects on their heart, their blood vessels, and other organs. "Covid-19 does not make good immune memory - you need to be topped up regularly with the vaccine." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More appointments for patients amid £1m boost NHS Somerset urges those eligible to get Covid jab
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two NHS dental practices set to open amid 'crisis'
Two new NHS dental practices are set to open in Chard and Crewkerne as part of efforts to improve access to NHS dentistry in Somerset, a new report has revealed. NHS Somerset is recruiting dentists to run the practices, with services potentially starting between late May and November. NHS Somerset has committed to funding 400,000 units of dental activity (UDA) annually across the two sites, worth up to £1.4m. However the report, by NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board - which was presented to Somerset Council's scrutiny committee on Thursday to seek its support - warned that NHS dentistry in the county remained in "crisis". More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The report urged Somerset Council's scrutiny committee to "recognise the pressing need for reform within the NHS dental contract and support efforts to advocate for meaningful change". The plans mark the first large-scale procurement of NHS dental services in Somerset since local NHS commissioners took over responsibility for dentistry from NHS England in April 2023. They come before the Labour government sets out its 10-year plan to reform the NHS in England, set to be published in the spring, aiming to tackle its current challenges and secure future sustainability. NHS Somerset has also committed to providing a new dental surgery in Wellington but this has been delayed as it has been unable to find a suitable premises for it. The new practices will offer a mix of NHS and private dentistry for adults and children, targeting areas that have seen reductions in NHS services in recent years. The report said the new services in Chard and Crewkerne were a "step forward, but there is still significant unmet demand for NHS dental care". The report also highlighted specific concerns about the previous Conservative government's Dental Recruitment Incentive Scheme (DRIS), announced in February 2024. The plan included a £20,000 "golden hello" scheme to encourage dentists to work in areas with severe shortages. However, this has not resulted in a new NHS dentist being appointed in Somerset. "Despite NHS Somerset's efforts to incentivise up to 15 dentists, no dentists have been appointed through the DRIS in Somerset," the report said. "This has led to ongoing difficulties in addressing workforce shortages in the county." The DRIS was part of the Conservative's Dental Recovery Plan, which also proposed mobile dental vans offering services in rural and deprived areas, but these have not materialised. "The failure to roll out mobile dental vans has been a missed opportunity to address the needs of rural and underserved communities," the report states. Somerset's Conservatives have been approached for comment about the report's concerns. The report also acknowledged efforts to expand urgent dental appointments in the county had been unsuccessful. NHS Somerset currently allocates £400,000 per year to its urgent dental helpline, which operates via NHS 111, to assess and refer patients needing emergency treatment. "While the urgent dental helpline is providing essential support, further capacity is needed to meet the increasing demand," the report said. NHS Somerset said it was now reviewing its approach and exploring options to expand urgent care services for 2025/26. While the new practices in Chard and Crewkerne are seen as a positive development, the report makes it clear that significant challenges remain. "The current state of NHS dental services in Somerset reflects a broader national crisis in NHS dentistry, characterised by accessibility challenges, funding shortfalls, and workforce instability," the report said. "The consequences of this crisis are severe, with patients facing prolonged waiting times, resorting to private care, or, in some cases, forgoing treatment altogether, exacerbating health inequalities and leading to preventable dental diseases". Somerset Council has been approached for comment. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'There could be no NHS dentists in two years' NHS 'recovery plan' fails to deliver new dentists or more appointments MP raises NHS dentist shortage at Westminster NHS Somerset
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Somerset: Two new NHS dental practices set to open amid 'crisis'
Two new NHS dental practices are set to open in Chard and Crewkerne as part of efforts to improve access to NHS dentistry in Somerset, a new report has Somerset is recruiting dentists to run the practices, with services potentially starting between late May and November. NHS Somerset has committed to funding 400,000 units of dental activity (UDA) annually across the two sites, worth up to £ the report, by NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board - which was presented to Somerset Council's scrutiny committee on Thursday to seek its support - warned that NHS dentistry in the county remained in "crisis". The report urged Somerset Council's scrutiny committee to "recognise the pressing need for reform within the NHS dental contract and support efforts to advocate for meaningful change".The plans mark the first large-scale procurement of NHS dental services in Somerset since local NHS commissioners took over responsibility for dentistry from NHS England in April 2023. They come before the Labour government sets out its 10-year plan to reform the NHS in England, set to be published in the spring, aiming to tackle its current challenges and secure future Somerset has also committed to providing a new dental surgery in Wellington but this has been delayed as it has been unable to find a suitable premises for it. The new practices will offer a mix of NHS and private dentistry for adults and children, targeting areas that have seen reductions in NHS services in recent report said the new services in Chard and Crewkerne were a "step forward, but there is still significant unmet demand for NHS dental care". 'No new dentists via scheme' The report also highlighted specific concerns about the previous Conservative government's Dental Recruitment Incentive Scheme (DRIS), announced in February 2024. The plan included a £20,000 "golden hello" scheme to encourage dentists to work in areas with severe shortages. However, this has not resulted in a new NHS dentist being appointed in Somerset."Despite NHS Somerset's efforts to incentivise up to 15 dentists, no dentists have been appointed through the DRIS in Somerset," the report said. "This has led to ongoing difficulties in addressing workforce shortages in the county."The DRIS was part of the Conservative's Dental Recovery Plan, which also proposed mobile dental vans offering services in rural and deprived areas, but these have not materialised."The failure to roll out mobile dental vans has been a missed opportunity to address the needs of rural and underserved communities," the report Conservatives have been approached for comment about the report's concerns. 'More urgent care explored' The report also acknowledged efforts to expand urgent dental appointments in the county had been unsuccessful. NHS Somerset currently allocates £400,000 per year to its urgent dental helpline, which operates via NHS 111, to assess and refer patients needing emergency treatment. "While the urgent dental helpline is providing essential support, further capacity is needed to meet the increasing demand," the report Somerset said it was now reviewing its approach and exploring options to expand urgent care services for 2025/ the new practices in Chard and Crewkerne are seen as a positive development, the report makes it clear that significant challenges remain. "The current state of NHS dental services in Somerset reflects a broader national crisis in NHS dentistry, characterised by accessibility challenges, funding shortfalls, and workforce instability," the report said. "The consequences of this crisis are severe, with patients facing prolonged waiting times, resorting to private care, or, in some cases, forgoing treatment altogether, exacerbating health inequalities and leading to preventable dental diseases".Somerset Council has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New dental practice offering NHS services coming to Wellington
A NEW dental practice offering a mix of NHS and private dental services is set to open in Wellington. The news was revealed by Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, who received a letter from NHS Somerset supporting the plan. A premises for the new practice is said to have been found, but needs refurbishment work, meaning an opening date is yet to be confirmed. The letter, jointly signed by Dr Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer, and Jenny Albiston, Dental Strategy Clinical Lead, at NHS Somerset, said the provider will be offering a mix of NHS and private dental services, answering calls for more NHS dental access in the area. 'We know people in the Wellington area, and more widely across Somerset, want better access to NHS dentistry and we hope you agree this is welcome news," it said. 'This project is part of NHS Somerset's broader dental recovery plan, which contains a range of measures to improve access.' READ MORE: Wellington Museum appoints first communications officer READ MORE: MP pushes for Wellington post office in parliament READ MORE: Permanent Banking Hub opens in Wellington with ceremony Mr Amos, who raised the issue of Somerset's need for more dental services in Parliament in November, said he welcomes the news and stressed the difficulties his constituents have faced who don't have access to an NHS dentist. 'This is great news – I'm delighted that our efforts have been rewarded,' he said. 'In 2022, before I was a Member of Parliament, I launched a survey of dental provision by the NHS in Taunton and Wellington. 'It showed that fewer than half of the people there had access to an NHS dentist. Three years on, things have, incredibly, got worse. 'Over half the constituents who contacted me did have an NHS dentist but were then told it was going private, so they lost it. That decline has been consistent.' Mr Amos said his constituents are having to travel out of county and gave the example of one - a stage three cancer sufferer – who has had to use her savings to pay for dental treatment. He added: 'This is good news for Wellington. Thank you to all those who have spoken out, who signed my petition or who have been pushing for better NHS dental provision in their own way. 'As Liberal Democrats, we ramped up pressure on the new Government, both by making the NHS and care our number one priority at the General Election and by working with the British Dental Association and others. 'As a team of 72 MPs, we have stopped at nothing in Parliament to push Ministers to provide more NHS dentists. 'This surgery, welcome though it is, won't solve the whole of Somerset's problems, so we will continue to make better dental provision and a better NHS generally, our number one priority.'
