"Emergency dental appointments"

About: Raigmore Hospital / Dental

(as the patient),

Several weeks ago, I made an emergency dental appointment at my usual dental clinic. The dentist was unable to keep the appointment and I am told I will be unable to get an appointment, until at the earliest, in September. I live on Skye and, due to my disability, cannot get to the dentist on the Raigmore campus. Today, I have been told the dentist in Dunvegan may have an appointment on Friday. The last time I was there (over an hour's drive from home), there was no accessible toilet I could access or use and a storage heater in the corridor had to be dismantled for my wheelchair to be able to turn 90 degrees to enter the dentist's room. My wheelchair was damaged - that is the wheelchair which Wheelchair Services inform me they will be unable to repair again in the future because it is so old and they cannot get parts for it. This really is not as freely accessible as it should be. I am in pain and need my dental needs met. I have already been waiting approximately 6 weeks.

My husband broke a tooth over 2 weeks ago and has been trying to get an urgent appointment at the same Kyle dental clinic (for disabled and elderly people). He is not long out of hospital (after 10 weeks), has mobility problems, uses a walking aid in one hand and cannot use his other arm. He has to sit on a very high chair (which is rarely provided at healthcare buildings) and cannot walk or travel far yet due to his illness (and does not drive), yet he has been told to go to the dentist at the Raigmore campus (3+ hours away). He cannot stand for more than a minute or two and cannot travel by public transport. What is the point of having a dental clinic locally (Kyle) for disabled and elderly people but no cover whatsoever from it when the usual dentist cannot be there for months? Life is difficult enough for disabled and elderly people without NHS Highland making it nigh impossible to get emergency dental treatment locally when it is required.

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Responses

Response from Sylvia Fraser, Clinical Governance Facilitator & NHS Highland Operational Lead for Care Opinion, Clinical Governance, NHS Highland 8 months ago
Sylvia Fraser
Clinical Governance Facilitator & NHS Highland Operational Lead for Care Opinion, Clinical Governance,
NHS Highland

I am part of the overall team who manages complaints for NHS Highland and are known as the Feedback Team. We offer patients, relatives, MPs/MSPs, staff and anyone who requires assistance is registering a concern or formal complaint.

Submitted on 12/07/2024 at 08:39
Published on Care Opinion at 08:39


picture of Sylvia Fraser

Dear LS1

Thank you for highlighting the issues you and your husband have experienced accessing dental services at the Kyle of Lochalsh Health Centre.

I am very sorry to hear that you have not been able to receive dental care at this location recently, due to ongoing staff absence.

I would like to reassure you that NHS Highland are exploring options to provide interim cover for dental treatment at Kyle of Lochalsh Health Centre, utilising dentists from other NHS Highland Dental Clinics and expect to confirm in due course.

Dental staff will then contact patients to arrange routine appointments.

Yesterday, NHS Highland posted an advertisement on NHS Jobs to seek a fixed term post for a Dentist to work at Kyle of Lochalsh Health Centre. However, it is acknowledged, that recruitment to Dentist posts is very disappointing at present, reflecting national dentist recruitment challenges.

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you have had accessing the Dunvegan Health Centre, this issue will be escalated within NHS Highland to highlight your concerns, regarding appropriate access to services.

Thank you, again for contacting us via Care Opinion to highlight these issues.

With kind regards

John Lyon

Director of Dentistry & Clinical Dental Director (Public Dental Service)

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