According to the BBC, the specialist dental services provided by East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, Surrey, are currently facing the possibility of adjustment. The hospital provides a number of specialist treatments for children with special needs and patients with complex dental diseases.
However, hospital staff have been informed that the trust is evaluating three options, including the possible closure of the service.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) stressed that there are currently no plans to stop dental services at East Surrey Hospital.
According to the SASH website, the trust provides professional management for patients with severe learning or physical disabilities, patients with complex medical histories, severe caries, complex dental trauma and patients with dental phobia.
The BBC has learned that the trust is considering the options of moving dental services back to the original site of Redhill Hospital, moving out of the current location or stopping the service.
Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan expressed concern that Surrey has shortcomings in meeting dental services for special educational needs and people with disabilities, and the potential closure of East Surrey Hospital’s specialist dental services is worrying.
A SASH spokesperson said that as an acute care provider, the trust attaches importance to providing planned emergency dental services to the community and currently has no plans to stop services at East Surrey Hospital.
In addition, the dental department provides training for a variety of medical professionals and works with the Health Education Authority of England to train undergraduate and postgraduate doctors.
Although Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has raised concerns about the fire safety of the buildings used by the hospital’s dental services, the BBC understands that the buildings in question are in compliance with the fire department’s injunctions and enforcement notices.
The trust said that since the existing premises are not suitable for long-term use, it is exploring more suitable permanent locations internally to ensure that high-quality services are provided to patients in need.
The BBC confirmed that the trust is not currently considering layoffs. Peter Dale of the British Dental Association stressed that the dental and maxillofacial departments at East Surrey Hospital are extremely important to the community and services must continue.
For possible service relocations due to building safety issues, clinicians should be fully consulted to ensure the safety of patients and staff.