HC Deb 10 March 2004 vol 418 cc1606-7W
Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the recruitment of NHS dentists in Blackpool North and Fleetwood. [157913]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Blackpool Primary Care Trust (PCT) is addressing the issue of recruitment by developing access to services through facilities and staff employed at the Fylde Coast Medical services. Wyre PCT has taken a number of steps to address current vacancies. These include:

  • a dental surgery within ,t proposed new primary care centre to be built in 2005;
  • a golden hello for new practitioners in the area; and
  • an advert in the February edition of the British Dental Journal.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average distance for people to access NHS dentists is in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley. [157087.

Miss Melanie Johnson

The average direct distances from postcodes in Lancashire and Chorley to the nearest dentist are 0.67 miles and 0.77 miles respectively.