MP urges government to 'rebuild the NHS'

MORE funding and urgent reforms to NHS contracts are vital to ensure Somerset residents can access GPs and dental services on their doorstep, according to local health experts.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist

Dozens of local residents gathered at Taunton’s CIC Centre on May 30 for the ‘Rebuilding our NHS’ event organised by Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington.

Mr Amos was joined by a panel of health experts to discuss the findings of his survey into local dental services and answer questions from those in attendance.

Following the meeting, Mr Amos pledged to continue pushing for improved health services across the local area, including further upgrades to Musgrove Park Hospital.

Here are seven things we learned about the crisis in Somerset's health services - and how to fix it:

1. The scale of Somerset’s dental crisis is shocking.

Nearly 2,100 people in Mr Amos’ constituency responded to his survey about access to dental services, with the largest group being in the 35-44 age range. The survey found that 71 per cent of adults eligible for free NHS dental treatment are unable to access an NHS dentist - along with 64 per cent of children.

Furthermore, nearly one in four (23 per cent) of children have no access to a dentist (whether on the NHS or privately), and 41 per cent only have access because their parents pay - with parents spending an average of £470 over the past five years.

Mr Amos said: "Even by Somerset's dental desert standards, Taunton and Wellington are particularly badly affected.

"While 40 per cent of the county’s children can access an NHS dentist, at 36 per cent the figure is barely a third here in Taunton and Wellington. One constituent told me their 16-year-old had never seen a dentist.

"Given the cost of private dentists and the lack of NHS provision, that is shocking but not surprising. Parents are paying an average of nearly £100 per year on children’s central treatment, which should be free.

"That means that, over five years, my constituents have paid out around £4m for treatment they should never have paid for."