Of the main 10 dentists in Lincoln we called, none had adult NHS spaces
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has “only worsened the situation” of NHS dental access in rural counties including Lincolnshire as the profession reaches “breaking point”, according to the Vice Chair of the Lincolnshire Local Dental Committee.
A recent survey from Healthwatch Lincolnshire, which gained 236 responses, found that 45% had no access to an NHS dentist while one person said they were being forced to ‘self medicate’.
To find out the exact extent of the issue in Lincoln, we contacted 10 local dental practices to find out whether or not they are taking on NHS patieny, and here’s what we found out.
Appleby & Associates in North Hykeham were also contacted, who said it was mainly private but did usually take children on the NHS, but currently had no spaces for this.
In addition, Treeline on Lincoln High Street, which is run by JDSP Dental Limited, is registering military patients on the NHS, but has no other capacity to take on NHS patients. However, it can take patients on privately.
The practice also says within its automated message before you get through that it is in the process of contacting former patients from Powell and Associates, which closed its doors after 140 years last summer.
Each practice has a UDA quota, which is the unit of currency for measuring the type of clinical activity expected from a dentist within a 12-month contract for a certified financial value. The value of this varies from practice to practice, but it is understood that Lincolnshire has historically low values and could be another reason why recruitment is getting even more difficult.
Responding to the issue of dental access in the county Andy Fenn, Vice Chair of the Lincolnshire Local Dental Committee told The Lincolnite: “NHS dental access was an issue for rural counties including Lincolnshire before the pandemic and the impact of this only worsened the situation, such that urban areas are seeing the same issues once the peculiarity of rural areas.
“The reasons are multifactorial, not least the crisis in recruitment, the like of which we have not seen before. The loss of EU graduates, accelerated by Brexit and the stalling of the ORE process (although this has now been resurrected) severely impacted this together with a paradigm shift where new graduates were reported to be far less keen to undertake NHS work instead, in many cases opting for higher training, working in private practices or hospital settings.
“Additionally the desire to work less hours, with more part time work being sought has become the norm. Added to this we have seen dentists from the baby boomers group retiring, taking with them a previous commitment to the NHS, typically founded on the previous ‘item of service’ contract.
“The pandemic restrictions have typically resulted in backlogs of work, along with staff burnout, staff shortages and low morale with increasing mental health issues being seen amongst team members. On top of this the NHS UDA system which was deemed to be problematic from its inception in 2006 has failed to deliver for patients and the dental teams.
“A thorough review carried out by Prof Jimmy Steele in 2008-2009 highlighted the need for reforms and identified the model familiar to graduates, which would facilitate the delivery of dentistry in line with how undergraduates had been taught at dental school.
“Unfortunately, even with a series of pilots and prototypes since that time, the failed NHS contract is still being used to provide dental care for patients despite the acknowledged shortcomings on both sides of the House and in the Lords. Contract reform has been promised since the time of the coalition government but here we are in 2022, without any real plans of substance. The profession is at breaking point with the NHS contract.”
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An a-maize-ing tribute to Her Majesty
The Lincolnite went to Uncle Henry's Maize Maze to try out the new Jubilee theme, and our reporter Ellis Karran was all over the place! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The popular Uncle Henry’s Maize Maze near Gainsborough is back with a brand new Platinum Jubilee theme this summer, and The Lincolnite went to check it out.
The award-winning five-acre maze is part of the Behind the Garden Wall section at Uncle Henry’s Farm Shop on Grayingham Grange Farm, near Gainsborough, and returns with a fresh look from Saturday, July 23.
Each year the maze is given a new theme which is relevant to our society that given year. For instance, 2020 was an NHS tribute after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, while 2021 had a climate change theme for the COP26 conference in Glasgow last year.
This year is no different, and what better theme could there be for 2022 than paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, on the year she marked her Platinum Jubilee to celebrate seven decades on the throne of the British monarchy.
Much like previous years, you are given a booklet and pencil with questions that can only be answered by finding the ten clues inside the maze – which all link together to spell out the answer to a final question.
Pathways have been created to allow you to navigate your way through the maze. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Each clue you find has information about the Queen that will allow you to answer a question in your booklet. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The questions and clues look at Her Majesty’s progression from Princess to Queen, and the journey she has taken while at the helm of Britain’s most recognisable family.
Tickets can be booked from the Uncle Henry’s website, with advance passes costing £6 per person or £20 for a group of four, and on the day tickets costing £7.50 per person or £35 for a group of four.
Uncontrollable joy as reporter Ellis found a clue! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Maize as far as the eye can see. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
This allows you access to not only the maze, but also the popular fairy trail, jumping pillow, mini-golf course and the tractor and trailer ride.
It will be open every day throughout the school summer holidays, as well as weekends in between until November 1, with a series of events throughout July and August – including murder mysteries and find the beer.
The five-acre maze could take anywhere from 45 minutes to multiple hours to complete! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Over here! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Take a look at how we got on here, with pictures from The Lincolnite photographer Steve Smailes:
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Winning businesses will be put forward to the VisitEngland national awards
There is one week left to get your nominations submitted to be recognised in the 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
Tourism businesses of all sizes are encouraged to apply, and winning businesses will be put forward to the VisitEngland national awards 2023.
Charlotte Goy, Chief Executive at Destination Lincolnshire said “Created to shine a light on businesses, the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards celebrate every aspect of the visitor tourism economy, to champion all of the innovation, passion, dedication, resilience and tenacity that we know Lincolnshire businesses have.
“I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses to enter. The application process itself is also a business development opportunity – really helpful feedback will be given by the judges to all those who enter. The businesses that are shortlisted will then be visited by a mystery shopper. An independent mystery expert who will give genuine feedback on each business, comparing Lincolnshire’s offering to our peers on a national level.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards categories:
To enter and for more information visit the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards website