Agenda item

Representatives from {my} Dentist will be in attendance to discuss a proposal to merge its 3 current practices in Middlesbrough to create a new practice on Cleveland Retail Park.

A number of representatives from {my} dentist were in attendance to discuss a proposal to merge three of its current dental practices in Middlesbrough to create a new practice on Cleveland Retail Park. The Chair welcomed the representatives and invited them to give their presentation.

The Clinical Director thanked the panel for the invite and explained that as part of the process they had to undertake with NHS England engagement activities with local stakeholders including MP’s, patients and the local Overview & Scrutiny Committee formed an important part. Reference was made to a similar project that had recently been undertaken in Killingworth, North Tyneside and it was advised that {my} dentist was currently in the process of completing eleven similar projects.

The panel heard that the reason for the proposed changes had been well publicised in the media. There was a growing crisis in access to NHS dentistry and 3000 dentists (13%) had left the profession since 2020. Dental practices were struggling to fill vacancies and half of NHS dentists had reduced their NHS commitment since the pandemic. In addition, in a survey with the British Dental Association 75 per cent of dentists said they were likely to reduce their NHS commitment over the next 12 months, with 45 per cent planning to go fully private. In addition it was advised that UK dentistry was heavily reliant on overseas dentists, which was under particular pressure.

In response to these challenges it was advised that {my} dentist was investing heavily in dental practices to improve recruitment. By 2025, more than £70 million would be invested to ensure the best facilities and equipment could be offered to patients and clinicians. It was noted that more than 80 per cent of {my} dentist clinicians had stated that their practice environment made the biggest different to their working life. Projects completed to date had resulted in improved recruitment and retention following investment, longer practice opening hours and more patients supported.

Reference was made to a recent example in Killingworth in North Tyneside. It was explained that £1.1m had been invested to relocate a practice into a large, secure shopping centre with better accessibility (all surgeries at ground level) and improved transport links and parking. As a result total surgery capacity increased by 85 per cent – from 7 chairs to 13 chairs. Within the first 12 months, 5 new clinicians and 6 new nurses were recruited to the practice. A total of 400 new clinical hours per week had been recruited to enabling {my} dentist to extend opening hours by 26 hours per week (including offering evening and weekend appointments).

In terms of the proposals for the project in Middlesbrough it was advised that:-

·         £1.5m would be invested to relocate three local practices into one at Cleveland Retail Park.

·         £2.2 committed in ongoing lease costs, an increase of £70 per annum.

·         £40k in payable rates per annum, an increase of £16k (circa £250 over 15 years)

·         Total surgery capacity would increase with 12 surgeries available immediately, with further options to expand to 14 in the future, subject to successful recruitment.

·         The practice would benefit from a dedicated staff room, greater security, free parking and investment in new digital technology.

·         Opening hours would be 25 per cent larger than the current practices (50 hours per week, compared to the current average of 40/25 hours)

·         Opportunities would be available to expand services in future, subject to support from local commissioners – this could include offering prevention, oral surgery, as well as alignment with Teesside University.

The proposed location for the new practice on Cleveland Retail Park was shown to the panel, as well as a series of images showing the proposed look and feel of the new site. 

Following the presentation Members were afforded the opportunity to ask questions and the following queries were raised:-

·         In response to a query regarding whether the existing patients from all three practices would need to re-register with {my} dentist it was advised that all patients would remain with their existing clinician.

·         In terms of accessibility via public transport it was queried as to whether careful consideration had been given to how people would access the new practice at Cleveland Retail Park. It was acknowledged that when undertaking a premises search town centre locations had been considered. However, there were pro’s and con’s to both. With the Cleveland Retail Park location free parking was available and there also were other travel options available. The proximity of the new location was within the specified guidelines, less than 3 miles from the current sites, and {my} dentist was working within those parameters.   

·         In terms of the attractiveness of a dental practice from a clinician’s perspective it was emphasised that young dentists were very keen on working as part of a larger team of dentists, with access to mentors and other professionals on site. University fees were expensive and students had funded these themselves therefore on graduating they were keen to work in an environment that met their needs.

·         In response to a query regarding when the Cleveland Retail Practice would be likely open, should {my} dentist receive the necessary approval from NHS England, it was noted that April / May 2023 was the envisaged timeframe.

·         As to the ability of the practice to take on more NHS patients it was explained that it would usually take a period of time but the practice would be able to take on more NHS patients in the future if the proposals were approved.

·         In terms of the feedback received from patients in response to the proposals it was acknowledged that the issue of bus routes had been raised. In fact initially there had been some misconceptions that the proposed new practice would be located at Teesside Park. However, once it had been clarified that the practice would move to Cleveland Retail Park and that patients would be able to remain with their current dentist patients had been put at ease.     

The Democratic Services Officer advised that as part of the formal engagement exercise a response needed to be provided to NHS England’s Commissioners in respect of the Panel’s thoughts around the proposals. Members advised that there were impressed with the offer being put forward by {my} dentist and were supportive of the proposals.  

The Chair thanked the {my} dentist representatives for their presentation and wished them every success in developing the new practice.   

AGREED that a letter supporting the proposals by {my} dentist to merge three of its current dental practices in Middlesbrough to create a new practice on Cleveland Retail Park be submitted to NHS England’s Commissioners by 16 September 2022.