Disappointment as NHS Saxon Dental Practice in Bury St Edmunds announces it will privatise from March 31 2025
NHS patients at a dental practice in Bury St Edmunds have spoken of their disappointment after being told it is privatising.
Saxon Dental Practice, on the Moreton Hall estate, has sent letters to patients explaining that from March 31, they will no longer be an NHS practice.
In a letter, seen by SuffolkNews, the practice said: “For many years we have been proudly provided care under the umbrella of the NHS but this will no longer be the case.
“A chronic lack of investment in NHS dentistry by successive governments coupled with rapidly rising costs and lack of resources means we no longer feel that we can provide the level of dental care you have come to expect and remain a viable business.”
This letter related to dental care for those under the age of 18.
In another letter sent to an adult patient, the dentist said, like many NHS practices across the UK, it was having to make crucial decisions to ensure the practice survives.
Patients were told if they want to remain with the practice they will need to pay a monthly minimum price of £11 for adults, with parents expected to pay £7.50 per child, each month.
Sally Sipsmith, a mum-of-three who has lived on the estate for 12 years, said the letter she was given, outlining the changes, was a complete surprise.
She was handed it as she attempted to book an appointment for one of her children and was told the practice would not be taking any bookings.
Sally, who teaches at a nearby primary school, said: “I feel incredibly disappointed that yet another local service is disappearing, and it is incredibly difficult for me to get the children registered for NHS care further afield.
“The estate keeps growing whilst the infrastructure is depleting, the doctors surgery is under pressure and I know how difficult things are in education.
“I suspect I will have to go private, but with three children it will be incredibly expensive.”
Another parent affected by the change is Luke Dyer, who lives on the Nowton Estate.
The father-of-three, who has been with the dentist since it moved from its previous location in Hollow Road, is considering what he will do next as he feels as though his family have been ‘kicked out’ of the practice.
Luke, who works on the Moreton Hall Industrial Estate, has calculated that paying to keep his children at the practice, and for them to have two checkups, will now cost him £270 a year.
“I have seen their private prices for different treatments and it’s a lot more than NHS prices,” said Luke.
“I believe it’s £53 for a checkup for an adult which is pretty much double.
“It’s frustrating as my oldest son was on a waiting list for braces so I have no idea what is going to happen with that.”
When asked about the changes, Saxon Dental said: “Unfortunately we have no comment at the moment.”
A spokesperson from the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB said: “Saxon Dental Practice in Bury St Edmunds has informed the ICB of its intention to terminate its NHS contract on 31 March 2025.
“Any patients with appointments scheduled before 31 March 2025 at Saxon Dental Practice should attend as planned, unless informed otherwise.
“The practice will be contacting all its NHS patients directly.”
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