Hands off dental surgery

I HAVE been a patient at the High Street Dental Surgery, in Lowestoft, for over 30 years and I am mystified why the local NHS should put the future dental care for David Johnson's patients in jeopardy.

I HAVE been a patient at the High Street Dental Surgery, in Lowestoft, for over 30 years and I am mystified why the local NHS should put the future dental care for David Johnson's patients in jeopardy.

I am confident that Dr Johnson is not required to retire at the age of 70 and that he has recently taken on new partners to run the practice with him.

This leads people to question what seems to be high-handed and insensitive action.

If, for example, the contract is awarded to another dentist or dentists, there would be no guarantee that the new practice would offer the same level of service and provision. Indeed, they may not take me on as a patient.

I, and all the other patients, might be forced to go private or seek another practice who could offer me the same level of service as Dr Johnson.

The key concern here is that there are no places for patients at other dental practices under the NHS. To say that it is worrying is a gross understatement.

There is already enough strong feeling about Government quangos without compounding matters with the action which is proposed. It promotes deep, long-lasting resentment and anger that a body with the word care in its title should display utter indifference to what happens to people. And for what purpose?

Dr Johnson is a man of conscience, integrity and one who possesses a high level of competence both as a dentist and a manager.

CHARLES R ABBOTT

Herons Close

Oulton Broad