Update on the closure of the dentist

The closure of the dentist in Whitburn was unexpected for most residents, especially as the new practice will be situated five miles away in St Catherine's Court, Sunderland. We asked MyDentist and the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) for more information on the reasons behind the closure, to understand whether impacts on Whitburn had been taken into account. They told us that the reason why the practice closed was: 

• The Whitburn practice had outdated facilities and limited space. Alongside its location, this made it hard to attract and retain qualified dental clinicians.
• The building in Whitburn is small, with limited opportunity to expand, while it was in need of renovation - these improvements were considered too costly and not viable.
• Mydentist said they would hand back their NHS contract if the relocation was not approved, which would have meant a complete loss of NHS dental access in the area.
• A consultation was held with over 10,000 patients in Whitburn and Southwick. Feedback showed 80% support for the move, but response rates from Whitburn were lower and showed lower levels of support for the move. Concerns raised from Whitburn residents were mostly on distance and traffic.
• MyDentist met with South Tyneside Council and the ICB, and they agreed to moving the practice to Sunderland.  
• Patients were informed of the closure when they were due an appointment.

The Forum has outstanding concerns:

• It seemed that the decision had already been made by MyDentist to move out of Whitburn and the consultation was a tick-box exercise to fulfil requirements set by the NHS and ICB.
• We have now lost an important local, familiar health service that has left Whitburn residents without access to a dentist within short travel distance.
• Travel distance and time has significantly increased,  particularly for older or less mobile patients. A short walk has been replaced with a long bus ride, or the need to use a car.
• No assessment was completed on whether patients will be able to travel to the new practice, either due to lack of car, or due to the fact that bus links are poor to the new site. Travel from Whitburn will require a change of buses and take at least 40 minutes.
• The low response rates from Whitburn, alongside a higher level of concern in the responses that were received, suggests our community is being disproportionately affected. The Forum has also heard from residents who did not receive the consultation at all.
• The  way the closure was communicated meant that many people who did not have upcoming appointments were not informed until a long time after the closure, which caused confusion and uncertainty.
• We believe that more effort should have been made to reach and listen to those who will be affected the most, especially older residents.

We have responded to My Dentist and the ICB with our concerns.