According to various media sources, the crisis in NHS dentistry reflects broader issues within the NHS. The British Dental Association (BDA) reports that 13 million people in the UK cannot access an NHS dentist, with nearly a quarter of the adult population finding this option nonexistent. Recent analysis shows that 5.4 million people have given up seeking appointments in the past two years, while another 5.6 million tried and failed. Financial barriers prevented 1.25 million people from accessing dental care, and 780,000 are on waiting lists.
The shortage of staff exacerbates this issue, with eight out of ten clinics closing their doors to new patients in 2023. Shawn Charlwood, BDA chair, stated, "NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist for millions across this country. These numbers are a stark reminder we need ambition to save this service."
This crisis extends beyond dentistry too.
Another survey reveals that NHS patients are left in pain and, in some cases, 'left alone to die' due to a lack of registered nurses. Only a third of shifts had adequate nursing staff. According to the Royal College of Nursing, only a third of shifts had adequate nursing staff. Nurses report constant rushing and feeling unsafe, burdened by making 'heartbreaking' decisions over patient care.
The RCN survey of over 11,000 UK nursing staff captured their recent shift experiences. A previous probe showed that nearly 19,000 NHS patients waited up to three days in A&E over the past year. In the period between April 2023 and March 2024, nearly 400,000 people waited longer in A&E than 24 hours, which is an increase from last year of 5%. This probe has exposed a daily catalog of suffering and indignity for patients.
This investigation has revealed a daily catalog of suffering and indignity for patients.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Prerna Lal/MSM)
