University of Suffolk in Ipswich to take on dentistry contract which will create an extra 18,000 hours of NHS dental appointments
A care board has announced a new dentistry contract which will provide an extra 18,000 hours of NHS-only dental appointments per year.
The University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) will deliver the new NHS Primary Care Dentistry supporting Dental Workforce Training and Education contract with a total budget of £2.2 million a year over an initial five-year term. The contract includes an option to extend by a further two years.
There will be 10 fully-equipped dental surgery units in the University of Suffolk’s James Hehir building on the Ipswich waterfront.
Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB) awarded the contract, following an open procurement process, which will also increase and upskill the local dental workforce.
The new service will also provide a teaching environment for student dental hygienists and therapists at the university and will offer placements for local dental nurses, dental therapists and hygienists who have recently qualified or are currently in training.
Dr Ed Garratt, chief executive of SNEE ICB, said: “We took over dental commissioning responsibilities from NHS England on 1 April this year and we are determined to increase both the number of NHS dental appointments available and the dental workforce.
“This initiative will allow us to achieve both aims, by delivering annually 18,000 additional hours of NHS only dental appointments and attract dental workforce to train and hopefully stay locally.
“I am delighted to welcome the University of Suffolk Dental CIC as our new provider and am confident they will bring a dynamic and innovative approach to building more sustainable dental services in the future.”
Details of how to book appointments will be available nearer the date of opening which will be winter this year. People are asked to please avoid contacting the university to book an appointment until further details become available.
