13 May 2009

McGimpsey announces £17million investment in Health Service dentists

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today announced 38 additional dentists to resolve access difficulties to health service dentistry across Northern Ireland.

The Minister has awarded a new £17million contract to Oasis Dental Care Ltd who will provide the additional dentists in access ‘hotspots’ across Northern Ireland. The contract will run for three years with the option of extension for a further two.

Additional dentists will be located in the following former Board areas:

• Western Enniskillen, Omagh, Strabane and Londonderry
• Northern Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and Cookstown
• Eastern Bangor/Donaghadee, Holywood, Dundonald/Castlereagh, Lisburn/Dunmurry and Carryduff
• Southern Banbridge, Dungannon and Newry

It is hoped that the first of these additional dentists will be in place before the end of this year and will be introduced in order of need. All 38 dentists will be in place within 12 months of the initial practice opening.

Making the announcement, Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: “I know that access to health service dentistry has been a matter of concern for many people across Northern Ireland. I am pleased that today I can announce a new contract that will provide access for an additional 57,000 health service patients.

“Oasis Dental Care Ltd will provide 38 dentists, targeted in access ‘hotspot’ areas across Northern Ireland ensuring people can get the health service dental treatment they need. Oasis has extensive expertise and experience in providing dental services to health Trusts across the United Kingdom and the standards they have set are impressive."

Justin Ash, Chief Executive of Oasis Dental Care, said: ‘We are delighted to have been chosen to be part of this significant boost to the health of the people of Northern Ireland and are delighted to be working in partnership with the Health Minister and the Health and Social Care Board. This contract is another resounding endorsement of Oasis Dental Care and our ability to deliver excellent health service dentistry. Plans are already well advanced for the new Oasis practices and we look forward to welcoming new patients from across the province later this year. We will ensure that we keep local communities informed of the progress of the building work and when they will be able to register for treatment.”

The Minister concluded: “My officials are working closely with the British Dental Association to achieve a new dental contract for all health service dentists in Northern Ireland, and I look forward to a successful conclusion to this process. However, there are access problems now that I have to address, and I am delighted that Oasis will work with us on this.

“I am confident that this initiative will greatly ease the current access problems, but my officials will continue to monitor the situation, and we shall take further action as is necessary to ensure that the general public have access to a health service dentist.”

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