Save Our Surgery

06 November 2009

THE wishes of thousands of patients of a Lowestoft dental surgery threatened with closure are being ignored by health chiefs, it was claimed yesterday.

Patients of the High Street Dental Surgery have been left dismayed after the board of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (primary care trust) voted unanimously to proceed with a tender for the contract which Dr David Johnson has had for more than 30 years.

James Reeder, who is co-ordinating the patients' voice petition said: “The patient petition, which is now rising to 5,000 patients, was handed to the board but seems to have counted for nothing.”

However, James Elliott, deputy director of commissioning for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said the views of the patients have been listened to.

“Throughout this process we have listened carefully to the views of patients registered with the High Street Dental Practice and have met with patient representatives on several occasions to discuss the issue face to face. Our board has also looked again at the details of the case - and in particular the concerns raised by patients.

“During its discussions, the board noted that a settlement agreement which resolved the contract dispute the practice had with the PCT was signed by both parties last November. This agreement contains a confidentiality clause and the details cannot be disclosed by either party. The dispute with the dentist relates to an aspect of this agreement.”

Mr Elliott said that after reviewing the case the board agreed it was important that the dispute was concluded through the process which began when the High Street practice referred the case to the appeals unit.

Meanwhile, patients are alarmed at the prospect of the surgery losing its contract which is up for renewal and due to be implemented next year.

“The patients must now rely on the PCT choosing Dr Johnson's tender that was handed in before last week's deadline. This means unless Dr Johnson wins his case against the PCT the contract could be awarded without any regard for patients' preferred option.

“The tender process has no mechanism for taking into consideration the views of the patients,” claimed Mr Reeder.

The patients' representatives are now considering appealing directly to the Department of Health.

“We are told that patient's voice and choice are important to the NHS - it seems we are listened to and disregarded. We refuse to be ignored,” said Mr Reeder.

A public meeting for patients to hear the latest details of the dispute has been arranged for Tuesday at the Hotel Victoria, in Kirkley Cliff Road, Lowestoft, beginning at 7pm.

An invitation has been sent to the PCT board members but it is not known if any will attend.

Dr Sushi Jathanna, who took up his appointment as chief executive of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney this week, said: “Although two meetings have already taken place between the PCT and the patients, as I am new to the trust, I am happy to meet with the group to listen to their views but I will be unable to add anything further to the discussion until the Family Health Services Appeal Unit has made its decision.

“I would like again to reassure our patients that we remain aware of the concerns which have been expressed in this case. We are committed to ensuring they continue to receive high quality dental care, regardless of the outcome of this dispute.”