McGimpsey opens new health service dental practice in Enniskillen
Wednesday, 9 December 2009Access to health service dentistry will be greatly improved from today, as the first of a series of new practices throughout Northern Ireland officially opened.
Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey opened the new Oasis Dental Care Practice in Enniskillen where six dentists will deliver health service dentistry to nearly 10,000 local patients.
A four dentist Oasis Dental practice has also opened in Londonderry.
The Minister awarded a £17million health service dentistry contract to Oasis Dental Care in May 2009 to provide 38 additional health service dentists in access hotspots across Northern Ireland. The contract will provide access for an additional 57,000 health service patients.
Opening the new practice in Enniskillen, the Minister said: “Clearly access to health service dentistry has been an issue for some patients. I was determined to find a solution to this problem. Everyone should be able to access health service dentistry no matter where they live or their circumstances.
“The access problem was particularly evident in the west of the province, so it is fitting that the first of these practices are in Enniskillen and Londonderry. I am confident that they will greatly ease the access problems to dental care that the people of the west have experienced for too long.
“The practice here in Enniskillen is extremely impressive and I would like to thank Oasis Dental Care, the Health and Social Care Board, the Business Services Organisation and officials from my Department for their commitment to delivering these new practices.”
The Minister concluded: “I very much look forward to the further roll out of the programme across Northern Ireland in the New Year.”
It is hoped that, subject to planning permission, the further 28 dentists will be in place at locations throughout Northern Ireland by summer 2010.
Justin Ash, Chief Executive of Oasis Dental Care comments: “We are delighted to have been chosen to be part of this significant boost to the oral health of the people of Northern Ireland. This contract is another resounding endorsement of Oasis and our ability to deliver high quality NHS dentistry and we look forward to serving the people of Enniskillen and Londonderry through our state-of-the-art surgeries and our highly trained dentists and support staff."
Notes to editors:
1. The Minister announced the new £17 million contract to Oasis Dental Care on 13 May 2009.
2. The 38 dentists will be located in 13-15 locations as follows:-
Londonderry: 4 dentists
Enniskillen: 6 dentists
Strabane: 2 dentists
Omagh: 2 dentists
Dungannon: 2 dentists
Carrickfergus: 2 dentists
Cookstown: 2 dentists
Newtownabbey: 4 dentists
Banbridge: 2 dentists
Newry: 2 dentists
Holywood / Bangor: 4 dentists
Lisburn/Dunmurry: 3 dentists
Dundonald/Castlereagh/Carryduff: 3 dentists
3. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90520575. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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