NHS dentists to offer walk-in appointments

Telegraph

6 days ago

Neighbourhood health centres will offer walk-in dentist appointments, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister unveiled the 10-year health plan at a centre in Stratford, London, which is already running a local one-stop service housing GPs, dentists and diagnostic and treatment facilities.
He hailed the walk-in dentist appointments that take place there as an example of 'what a neighbourhood health service can do'.
So-called ' dental deserts ' on the NHS have meant fewer than half of adults have seen a dentist in the last two years.
Labour committed to reforming NHS dentistry on election. Their 10-year health plan also includes a proposal for a health service tie-in to require newly qualified dentists to work for the NHS for a minimum of three years.
Sir Keir said: 'It's buildings like this here that represent the future of the NHS.
'I've just had the chance to go round and see some of the work that's going on here. The 24 teams that you've got working on dentistry, really pleased to see that you don't necessarily need an appointment.
'You can walk in. We've got children and families up there on the next floor having their teeth done, hugely important, and that's what a neighbourhood health service can do.'
He said he was 'really struck by a young family in there having their teeth checked and done this morning' and it was 'exactly what we want for a walk-in service'.
Refused 'nanny state' argument
Sir Keir also brushed off the idea that the health plan would turn Britain into a 'nanny state' with measures to increase healthy eating and force supermarkets to count customers' calories.
He said he was 'not interested' in arguments about the 'nanny state' if the price was children losing their teeth before they were 10.
Answering questions at the launch event, the Prime Minister said: 'When I learned at Alder Hey that children of that age, eight to 12, were coming in to have their teeth taken out and that was the highest cause of admission... I'm not interested in arguing about 'nanny state'.
'If the price of not doing it is a child losing his or her teeth before they're 10 years old, I'll take those measures any day of the week and I'll defend them any day of the week.'
AI assistance in NHS app
The plan also pledged to overhaul the NHS app and create 'a doctor in your pocket' using an artificial intelligence system to help patients access the most appropriate care.
It will allow patients to self-refer to some specialists – skipping the need for a GP appointment – for services such as physiotherapy, mental health and audiology, as first revealed by the Telegraph.
People will have access to their medical records and be able to book and manage appointments, order prescriptions and also manage their loved ones' health needs if they are a carer.
NHS brought 'into the 21st century'
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said: 'The NHS App will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century.
'Patients who can afford to pay for private healthcare can get instant advice, remote consultations with a doctor, and choose where and when their appointments will be.
'Our reforms will bring those services to every patient, regardless of their ability to pay.
'The 10 Year Health Plan will keep every patient fully informed of their healthcare and make using the NHS as easy and convenient as doing your banking or shopping online.
'It will deliver a fundamental shift in the way people access their care, from analogue to digital.
'A new Single Patient Record will bring an end to the frustration of repeating your medical history to different doctors. Instead, health and care professionals will have your record in one handy place, so they can give you the best possible care.